At 74 years old, Jay Leno, the legendary comedian and former late-night TV host, is now turning his focus toward preparing for the inevitable. After decades in the spotlight, first as the host of The Tonight Show and then as the face of his successful car series, Leno is now making thoughtful end-of-life arrangements to ensure his loved ones and his passions are well taken care of when he’s no longer here. True to his lifelong obsession with automobiles, he’s even leaving a significant portion of his wealth to preserve his cherished car collection and support the museum that honors these vehicles. As Leno himself put it, “No one lives forever,” and he’s making sure his legacy lives on through careful planning.
Following his retirement from late-night television, Leno didn’t slow down. Instead, he shifted gears to pursue his lifelong passion for cars and motorcycles, launching Jay Leno’s Garage. The show initially aired on NBC.com from 2015 to 2022, and it later became a major hit on YouTube, where it continues to attract millions of viewers. Today, Jay Leno’s Garage boasts over 3.7 million subscribers, all tuning in to see Leno share his encyclopedic knowledge of vehicles and his adventures in the world of automotive history. But while his love for cars has brought him joy, it’s also nearly cost him his life on more than one occasion.
In November 2022, Leno suffered severe injuries in a terrifying accident. While working under one of his many cars in his Burbank, California garage, a gasoline fire suddenly erupted. Leno sustained serious third-degree burns to his face and hands. The damage was so extensive he later revealed he had to undergo surgery to reconstruct his left ear. “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” Leno told Variety at the time. “I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.” However, his run of bad luck didn’t end there. Only two months after the fire, Leno was involved in a motorcycle crash that left him with a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs, and two cracked kneecaps. Despite these setbacks, he has maintained his humor and resilience, continuing to work and care for his wife, Mavis.
Mavis Leno has been Jay’s steadfast partner since their marriage in 1980. Now 77, she has been battling dementia, and her health has been in rapid decline. In April 2024, Leno was granted legal conservatorship over Mavis’ estate by a Los Angeles Superior Court. Court documents revealed that Mavis had progressively been losing her capacity to understand time and space and sometimes did not recognize her own husband. A statement from her neurologist, Dr. Hart Cohen of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, confirmed her deteriorating condition. Despite these heartbreaking developments, Jay has remained devoted to Mavis, with Dr. Cohen noting that he “loves his wife very much” and “treats [Mavis] like gold.” Jay’s dedication to her care has never wavered, even as he faces his own health challenges.
With Mavis’ condition worsening, Leno has taken the necessary steps to plan for both their futures. According to legal filings, Leno is arranging his estate to ensure that Mavis is cared for as long as she lives. The couple plans to remain in their home for as long as possible, using their considerable wealth to cover household help and caregiving needs. In the event Jay passes first, their estate will be divided into the Leno Marital Trust. This trust will include the famed Leno Collection, his multi-million-dollar assortment of classic cars and motorcycles, valued at more than $52 million. The trust will also hold any real estate tied to housing the collection. The terms specify that the surviving spouse will receive all income and, if needed, principal from the trust for reasonable support. After both Jay and Mavis pass away, the remaining assets, after taxes, will be distributed as outlined in the Leno Trust to their named beneficiary, JDM.
Jay Leno’s legacy is not only about his comedic career but also about his passion for preserving automotive history. His decision to leave a substantial portion of his fortune to protect and maintain his vehicle collection underscores just how deeply this passion runs. As he puts his affairs in order, Leno demonstrates that, while “no one lives forever,” the things we care about can be passed on and preserved for future generations. His foresight and planning ensure that both his beloved wife and his cherished cars will be looked after when he is no longer able to do so himself.
