Jay Leno, 74, Plans for the Inevitable: A Lasting Legacy for His Beloved Cars – ‘No One Lives Forever

After decades in the spotlight as the host of late-night TV, Jay Leno is now preparing for his final curtain call.

At 74, the auto enthusiast is making end-of-life arrangements, leaving behind a substantial sum to a museum dedicated to cars—a passion that nearly claimed his life twice.

Read on to discover what the comedian has in store!

Following his successful career as a late-night talk show host, Jay Leno launched a web series on NBC.com (2015 to 2022) centered around his love for cars.

Now, with over 3.7 million subscribers on YouTube, *Jay Leno’s Garage* allows the comedian to share his deep passion for cars and bikes with a devoted audience.

In November 2022, the former *Tonight Show* host suffered severe burns when a fire erupted in his Burbank, California garage.

“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.”

According to reports, the now 74-year-old was working under a car when the fire ignited. He sustained third-degree burns on his face and had to undergo surgery to replace his left ear, which he lost in the blaze.

Unfortunately, his luck didn’t improve much after that.

Just two months after the fire, Leno’s bad luck continued when he was involved in a motorcycle accident, leaving him with a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs, and two cracked kneecaps.

**’Treats Mavis like gold’**

Despite his body breaking down due to age, passion-related accidents, and high cholesterol, one thing remains steadfast in Leno’s life: his love for Mavis, his wife since 1980.

“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,’” Leno shared with *People* magazine, reflecting on his enduring love with Mavis, now 77.

After 45 years together, the childless couple has started facing some significant hardships.

Mavis was diagnosed with dementia, and her condition is rapidly deteriorating.

In April 2024, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted Leno conservatorship over his wife’s estate, ruling that the measure was “necessary and appropriate.”

According to court documents obtained by *Entertainment Tonight*, “Mavis has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years.”

The filing also states that “Jay is fully capable of continuing support for Mavis’ physical and financial needs, as he has throughout their marriage,” but her “current condition renders her incapable of executing the estate plan.”

Included in the documents is a statement from her neurologist, Dr. Cohen: “Sometimes [Mavis] does not know her husband, Jay, nor her date of birth.”

Dr. Cohen, Mavis’ attending physician at Cedars Sinai, also notes that Leno “loves his wife very much” and “treats [Mavis] like gold.”

**‘No one lives forever’**

Just months later, *In Touch* reports that Leno is now preparing for his own death, making end-of-life arrangements to ensure his fortunes are delivered to the rightful beneficiaries.

The filing reads: “No one lives forever, and the actions taken by Mr. Leno are reasonable and necessary for his and Mavis’ protection. Mavis does not object to the petition and, in my opinion, consents to it. Mr. Leno is her protector, and she trusts him. This estate planning is in her best interest and protects her interests.”

Leno’s latest filing outlines provisions for Mavis’ care and reveals that the couple plans to stay in their home “for as long as reasonably possible,” utilizing their wealth to secure “assistance from household employees or caregivers as may be necessary.”

If Leno passes away first, “the estate will divide into the Leno Marital Trust… It will include the Leno Collection and any real property housing the Leno Collection. The trust will be irrevocable, and the surviving spouse will receive all income, plus principal for reasonable support. After the survivor’s death, the after-tax balance will be distributed, along with the Leno Trust, to JDM.”

The Leno Collection, which comprises his automobiles and motorcycles, is valued at over $52 million, along with any associated real estate.

Leno has also instructed the JDM Foundation, a charity he established in 1988, to open a museum showcasing his automobile collection, and he has already appointed the three initial directors.

Additionally, Leno is leaving $7 million to Mavis’ brother, Rikki Nicholson, who lives next door, and to his nephew, Richard Leno.

The court-appointed official indicated that Leno’s amendments to the trust are likely to be approved.

It’s hard to imagine a world without Jay Leno! Please share your thoughts and spread this story so we can send Leno and Mavis all our love!