Jay Leno's wife Mavis is forgetting who he is as her heartbreaking battle with dementia progresses. The ex-Tonight Show host's wife's condition has worsened so much that sometimes she does not recognise him. Jay, 73, has petitioned
Los Angeles Superior Court in January to be appointed as conservator for 77-year-old Mavis as her condition makes her unable to handle her own affairs. In a filing this week, her court-appointed attorney, Ronald Ostrin, opened up about the heartbreaking toll Mavis' dementia has had on the couple's otherwise 'perfect marriage' of 43 years. READ MORE: Jay Leno opens up on terrifying moment he realised he was on
fire in nasty car incident Jay Leno's wife Mavis is forgetting who he is as her dementia progresses ( Image: HGTV) According to court papers obtained by DailyMail.com , Mavis doesn't remember her own birth date. Dr. Cohen, who was called in to treat Mavis after a car crash in 2018, described the couple's amazing relationship. He told Ostrin that Leno, "Loves his wife very much and wanted to bring this matter out of respect to her." He said: "Mr Leno is such a nice man and treats Mavis like gold." Ostrin said he had spoken privately with Mavis himself, and reviewed her medical records including her medications she was already taking for treatment of major neurocognitive disorders. "We have had a long opportunity to speak with each other and we spoke about her wishes and desires about the proceeding and about her testamentary wishes. Ms. Leno was a delightful person, and although it was clear she had cognitive impairment, she still has a charming personality and could communicate. She expressed a desire to vote and told me a little more about her philanthropic work. She reposed great faith and confidence in Mr. Leno and relied on him for her protection and guidance." Jay has had a tough few years of late. He has discussed the terrifying moment he was set on fire in an accident in his garage in 2022. The comedian opened up to
NBC News' Hoda Kotb about the scary ordeal , explaining how mechanical work on one of his vintage cars turned ugly almost immediately. Jay was working on a 1907 White Steam car in his Burbank garage when he was set alight. While trying to unclog a fuel line, he says he asked pal Dave Killackey to blow some air through it when the gas suddenly hit him in the face. Speaking to the presenter, Jay revealed his face caught fire when the car's pilot light ignited the fuel, leading him to yell at his friend that he was on fire. Fortunately for the star, his friend was close by and able to pull him out of harm's way by jumping on top of him to smother the fire. And Jay wasn't long in getting back to work following the incident which led to him being hospitalised for 10 days with third degree burns. Speaking to Page Six from his car, the former
Tonight Show host confirmed he'd be back on stage before adding: "[I’m] hanging in there. Everything’s fine."