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

Jay Leno, the 74-year-old comedian and longtime former host of The Tonight Show, is reportedly beginning to prepare for life beyond the spotlight, taking steps to organize his legacy and ensure that what he built over decades will endure. Known not only for his humor but for his unmatched passion for automobiles, Leno is now making arrangements that reflect both his love for cars and his desire to leave something meaningful behind for future generations.

After stepping away from late-night television, Leno found a new platform through Jay Leno’s Garage, a web series that allowed him to share his enthusiasm for classic cars and motorcycles with millions of fans. Running from 2015 to 2022, the show became a major online success, drawing more than 3.7 million YouTube subscribers and cementing his reputation as one of America’s most recognizable car collectors.

In recent years, however, Leno has faced serious health setbacks. In November 2022, he suffered severe burns during a fire in his garage in Burbank, California while working beneath a vehicle. The accident left him with third-degree burns and significant injuries, including damage to his left ear. Only two months later, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a broken collarbone, cracked ribs, and fractured kneecaps. Despite these painful incidents, Leno has continued to remain active, demonstrating the resilience that has defined much of his life.

At the center of his world remains his wife, Mavis Leno, whom he married in 1980. The couple never had children, and their relationship has long been regarded as one of Hollywood’s most enduring partnerships. Today, they face one of their greatest challenges, as Mavis, now 77, battles dementia. In April 2024, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted Jay Leno conservatorship over aspects of her estate, citing her declining mental capacity and increasing need for care.

Court filings describe the heartbreaking progression of Mavis’s condition, noting that she has gradually lost awareness of time, surroundings, and at times even her husband. Medical reports from her neurologist emphasize that while the illness has advanced, Leno has remained deeply committed to caring for her with unwavering devotion, standing beside her through every difficult stage.

Alongside these personal challenges, Leno has also begun putting his own affairs in order. Recent legal documents indicate that he has outlined detailed provisions for Mavis’s long-term care while also structuring how their estate will be managed. Much of the estate is expected to be placed into the Leno Marital Trust, which notably includes his famed $52 million car and motorcycle collection.

After both Jay and Mavis pass away, the remaining assets are slated to transfer to the JDM Foundation, a nonprofit organization Leno founded in 1988. The foundation is expected to establish an automotive museum that will preserve and display his extraordinary collection, ensuring that his lifelong passion becomes a lasting cultural contribution rather than a private treasure.

In addition, Leno reportedly plans to leave $7 million to close family members, including his nephew Richard Leno and Mavis’s brother, Rikki Nicholson, who lives nearby. The court is expected to approve the revisions to his trust as part of the ongoing conservatorship proceedings.

As Jay Leno prepares for a quieter chapter, the story serves as a reminder that even icons eventually turn their attention from fame to family, legacy, and the realities of time. For many fans, it is difficult to imagine entertainment without his voice, but his devotion to those he loves — and the care he is taking to preserve what matters most — reflects a life lived with both humor and heart.

Warm wishes continue to surround Jay and Mavis Leno as they navigate this deeply challenging season, supported by the legacy of laughter, loyalty, and passion they have shared with the world.