Jay Leno shares how he helped wife Mavis with dementia (Exclusive)

Jay Leno shares how he’s supporting his wife Mavis, who was diagnosed with advanced dementia in April 2024.

While speaking to people at the 34th Annual Love Ride held at Harley-Davidson in Glendale, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 9, the 75-year-old comedian opened up about caring for Mavis, whom he married in 1980.

“I’ve been very lucky in my life. My wife is battling dementia and things like that, but she doesn’t have cancer. It’s not a tumor, so I enjoy taking care of her,” he says.

Jay continued to dispel misconceptions about their relationship, saying, “It’s not work. People come up to me and say they’re so sorry. I understand the sympathy. I know a lot of people are going through the same thing, but it’s okay.”

“I like taking care of her. I’m having a good time with her. We’re having fun and it is what it is,” the former late-night host added.

“It’s going to be a difficult few years. So the first 46 years is really great. But it’s okay. It’s not terrible. I’m not an unhappy person myself. I’m just lucky to be able to take care of her,” he says.

Jay then expressed his gratitude for being in a position where he can afford to take care of his wife and her medical needs. “I’ve been very lucky,” he admits. “I enjoy being with her. As soon as this drive is over, I’ll go home and make her lunch.”

Jay is the grand marshal of Love Ride, Harley-Davidson’s charity bike ride. The event’s website says it has raised more than $25 million for charities since its founding in 1984.

In September, Jay told PEOPLE that even when he travels for work, he always stays home at night.

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“I go home every day. I went to Puerto Rico that day, but my plane was waiting for me and I came right back,” he said. “That’s what I do. I try to be home every night. So that’s kind of what I do.”

In April 2024, the former TV presenter was granted guardianship of his wife. Mavis’ lawyer said at the time that Mavis was “consenting” to the conservatorship and that she was “receiving excellent care alongside her husband, Mr. Leno.”