Jay Leno is one of the hardest-working celebrities in show business. While most people would be enjoying their retirement at the former late-night host’s age, the 69-year-old comedian continues to work. He is currently busy hosting the show ‘Jay Leno’s Garage’ since 2014, the same year ‘The Tonight Show’ aired its last episode.
No wonder he’s managed to build an impressive fortune reportedly worth $350 million. This is how he chooses to spend or not spend his hard-earned cash.
Impressive Car Collection
Leno currently owns a varied collection of 181 cars and 160 motorcycles. Safe to say, the gearhead prefers to splurge his earnings on top-of-the-line vehicles and vintage automobiles.
While he currently has no idea how much the contents of his entire garage costs, Leno shares that he owns a McLaren F1, which he’s been offered $17.5 million for. Had he chosen to sell the car, he would’ve made quite a profit from the initial $800,000 he paid for the valuable vehicle in 1999.
Knowing his background, Leno’s love for cars makes more sense. Growing up in a rural area, he said he was surrounded with things like old tractors, lawnmowers and vehicles, which he eventually learned how to fix.
This interest carried on to his adulthood. He reiterates though that he didn’t really set out to collect but just bought the ones he liked.
Getting Thrifty
Although he doesn’t have a problem treating himself to one-of-a-kind automobiles, Leno draws the spending line on things like clothes and even vacations. In fact, he confesses that he lives like a person who’s on their last dime despite being wealthy.
He does give away to charities. Leno has actually auctioned one of his cars, a Fiat 500, to a charity that helps wounded veterans recover.
Jay’s Money Advice
As Leno reveals in an interview, he continues to work while his money relaxes as evident in his relatively frugal lifestyle. He also shares how always working two jobs benefited him. One he lives on, the other he banks.
He didn’t even touch any of the money he earned during his time hosting a late-night television show calling TV money ‘fleeting’.