Current:Home > MarketsJay Leno's wife 'sometimes does not know' him amid dementia battle -FinanceMind
Jay Leno's wife 'sometimes does not know' him amid dementia battle
View
Date:2025-04-12 13:35:08
Jay Leno's wife sometimes does not recognize him amid her battle with "advanced" dementia, her court-appointed counsel said in a new filing.
The former "Tonight Show" host, 73, in January filed to be appointed conservator of his wife Mavis Leno's estate because she "has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years." Her court-appointed counsel, Ronald Ostrin, shared more information about her condition in documents filed in California and obtained by USA TODAY on Tuesday.
"According to her neurologist, Dr. Hart Cohen, (Mavis Leno) has advanced dementia, (and) sometimes does not know her husband, Jay, nor her date of birth," the filing states. "She has a lot of disorientation, will ruminate about her parents who have both passed and her mother who died about 20 years ago."
Jay and Mavis Leno, 77, have been married since 1980, and they met at the Comedy Store in the 1970s. They do not have any children.
The filing says that Dr. Hart Cohen has been following Mavis Leno since she was in a car accident in 2018. "According to Dr. Cohen, Mr. Leno loves his wife very much, and waited to bring this matter out of respect to her," Ostrin writes. "He said that Mr. Leno was 'such a nice man and treats (Mavis) like gold.'"
Ostrin also says he interviewed Mavis Leno in February and concluded that "although it was clear she had cognitive impairment, she still has a charming personality and could communicate." During this time, she "reposed great faith and confidence in" her husband.
Jay Lenopetitions to be conservator of wife Mavis' estate after her dementia diagnosis
Leno is only seeking a conservatorship over his wife's estate, not over her person, the filing points out. The comedian previously said he was doing so to ensure that her estate plan is executed properly, as she "presently lacks the necessary capacity."
In the new filing, Ostrin recommends that the conservatorship petition be approved, concluding that Jay Leno's actions are "necessary" for his and Mavis' protection.
'Reborn dolls'look just like real-life babies. Why people buy them may surprise you.
"Mavis does not object to the petition nor as to Mr. Leno acting as her conservator of her estate," the filing says. "She consents to it and wants that. Mr. Leno is her protector and she trusts him."
The attorney adds, "Based on my interaction with Mr. Leno, plus some research I have done, he seems to be a standup guy and his private persona matches the public persona he projects."
A hearing in the case is scheduled for April 9.
If you'd like to share your thoughts on grief with USA TODAY for possible use in a future story, please take this survey here.
Contributing Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY
veryGood! (32)
Related
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Supreme Court Justice Alito reports German princess gave him $900 concert tickets
- Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei’s Father Shares Heartbreaking Plea After Her Death From Gasoline Attack
- Taylor Swift Leaves No Blank Spaces in Her Reaction to Travis Kelce’s Team Win
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- 'Sopranos' creator talks new documentary, why prequel movie wasn't a 'cash grab'
- These modern day Mormons are getting real about sex. But can they conquer reality TV?
- Police say they arrested a woman after her 6-year-old son brought a gun to school in Memphis
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Shop 70's Styles Inspired by the World of ‘Fight Night'
Ranking
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Are we moving toward a cashless, checkless society?
- Redefine Maternity Style With the Trendy and Comfortable Momcozy Belly Band
- Selena Gomez is now billionaire with $1.3 billion net worth from Rare Beauty success
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Cheeseheads in Brazil: Feeling connected to the Packers as Sao Paulo hosts game
- Stakeholder in Trump’s Truth Social parent company wins court ruling over share transfer
- Was Abraham Lincoln gay? A new documentary suggests he was a 'lover of men'
Recommendation
Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
Kane Brown to Receive Country Champion Award at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards
Man arrested after making threats, assaulting women in downtown Louisville, Kentucky
Jennifer Lopez Rocks Revenge Dress at TIFF Premiere of Her and Ben Affleck’s Film Amid Divorce
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
Stakeholder in Trump’s Truth Social parent company wins court ruling over share transfer
Man arrested in the 1993 cold case killing of 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss
Jax Taylor Breaks Silence on Brittany Cartwright Divorce With Unexpected Message