- - Jay Leno Says People Are ‘Shocked’ He Didn’t Get a Girlfriend After Wife’s Dementia Diagnosis

Jane LaCroixJanuary 15, 2026 at 4:14 AM

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Jay Leno isn’t interested in applause for standing by his wife—he sees it as part of the deal.

The former late-night host, 75, opened up about his marriage to Mavis Leno during an appearance on the Life Above the Noise podcast with Maria Shriver on January 10, where he addressed the reactions he’s received since Mavis was diagnosed with advanced dementia in early 2024.

“I’ve said this a bunch of times, you take a vow when you get married and people are stunned… they’re so shocked that you would live up to it,” Leno said during the episode.

He recalled one particularly jarring exchange. “My favorite thing was—this is the most Hollywood thing. A guy said to me, ‘So, are you gonna get a girlfriend now?’” Leno shared. When he responded that he was married, the person allegedly doubled down, prompting Leno to reply, “‘Well no, I have a girlfriend. I’m married. Married 45 years.’”

For Leno, the idea of moving on simply isn’t up for discussion. “No, we’re kinda in this together here,” he said, noting how strange it feels that loyalty now raises eyebrows. “That used to be the norm…Now the out of whack part is fairly common, and staying and doing what you’re supposed to do is stunning to people.”

READ MORE: Jay Leno Reveals Wholesome Bathroom Routine With Wife Mavis Amid Advanced Dementia Battle

Those convictions show up in the quiet moments of their daily life. In a November 2025 appearance on Today, Leno shared how humor has become a lifeline as he cares for Mavis, 79. “When I’m carrying her to the bathroom, we do this—and I call it Jay and Mavis at the prom in high school,” he told host Hoda Kotb. “So, we’re just like, back and forth, and she thinks that’s funny.”

The journey hasn’t been easy. Leno revealed that for years, Mavis relived her mother’s death daily—an experience he called one of the hardest parts of her illness. Now, his focus is steady reassurance. “She wants to be reassured that everything’s okay,” he said.

For him, it comes down to love, practiced daily.

This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”