At 74, Jay Leno planning for death, leaves chunk of cash to cars – ‘no one lives forever’

After spending decades as a beloved late-night TV host, Jay Leno is now preparing for the next chapter in his life. At 74 years old, Jay is known not only for his comedy but also for his deep love of cars—a passion that has nearly cost him his life twice. Now, as he plans for the future, Jay is making important decisions, including a significant donation to a museum dedicated to his treasured automobiles.

Even after leaving his late-night talk show, Jay didn’t step out of the limelight. He continued to share his love for cars through his show, “Jay Leno’s Garage.” This series, which aired on NBC.com from 2015 to 2022, is now a hit on YouTube, where over 3.7 million subscribers tune in to see Jay’s incredible collection of cars and motorcycles.

But Jay’s passion for working on cars has also brought him some serious dangers. In November 2022, he had a frightening accident when a fire broke out in his garage in Burbank, California. “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” Jay explained to Variety at the time. “I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.” The fire left him with third-degree burns on his face, and he even lost his left ear, which doctors later reconstructed.

As if that wasn’t enough, just two months after the fire, Jay had another accident. This time, he was involved in a motorcycle crash that left him with a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs, and two cracked kneecaps.

Throughout all these challenges, one thing has remained steady in Jay’s life: his deep love for his wife, Mavis. They’ve been married since 1980, and Jay often speaks about Mavis with great admiration. “I always tell guys when they meet a woman, ‘Marry your conscience. Marry someone who’s the person you wish you could be, and it works out okay,’” he shared with People.

However, after 45 years of marriage, Jay and Mavis are facing a new and heartbreaking challenge. Mavis, now 77, has been diagnosed with dementia, and her condition is getting worse quickly. In April 2024, Jay was granted conservatorship over Mavis’ estate by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, who determined that the measure was “necessary and appropriate.”

Court documents show that Mavis has been struggling with her memory and awareness for several years. Her neurologist, Dr. Cohen, noted that there are times when she doesn’t even recognize Jay or remember her own date of birth. Despite this, Jay remains completely devoted, caring for Mavis with the utmost love and tenderness, treating her “like gold.”

Recently, reports from In Touch revealed that Jay is also making preparations for his own passing, ensuring that his estate will be properly managed and that his loved ones will be taken care of. His estate plan includes detailed provisions for Mavis’ care, with plans for the couple to stay in their home “for as long as reasonably possible,” using their funds to hire any necessary help.

If Jay passes away before Mavis, his estate will be divided into the Leno Marital Trust, which includes his impressive collection of automobiles and motorcycles, valued at over $52 million. After both Jay and Mavis have passed, the remaining assets will go to the JDM Foundation, a charity Jay founded in 1988. This foundation will be responsible for creating a museum dedicated to Jay’s beloved car collection.

In addition to these plans, Jay has also set aside $7 million for Mavis’ brother, Rikki Nicholson, and his nephew, Richard Leno. A court-appointed official has indicated that Jay’s estate amendments are likely to be approved.

It’s hard to imagine a world without Jay Leno, but he’s making sure his legacy will live on. Share this story to send Jay and Mavis all the love and support they deserve!

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