Who was the love of Billy Joel's life?
Asked by: Maximilian Bashirian | Last update: July 17, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (17 votes)
While Billy Joel has been married four times, his first wife, Elizabeth Weber, is widely considered a defining love of his life and a major inspiration for his early, most iconic music. Weber, who also managed his career, inspired songs like "She's Got a Way" and "She's Always a Woman".
Why did Billy Joel's wife leave him?
Billy Joel's divorces were driven by different factors, primarily his severe struggle with alcohol, drug use, and the extreme stress of his touring lifestyle, which created unsustainable environments for his partners.
Why did Christie Brinkley leave Joel?
Christie Brinkley left Billy Joel primarily due to his intense drinking, which she described as a "third person" in their marriage, along with the strain of his relentless touring and emotional withdrawal. Despite still loving him, she felt she could no longer live with the situation, explaining that the "booze was the other woman" and it was breaking their family unit apart.
How many divorces did Billy Joel have?
Billy Joel has been married four times and has gone through three divorces. His former wives are Elizabeth Weber (1973–1982), Christie Brinkley (1985–1994), and Katie Lee (2004–2009). He married his current wife, Alexis Roderick, in 2015.
What was the age difference between Billy Joel and his wives?
Billy Joel has been married four times, with his later marriages featuring significant age differences, most notably a 33-year gap with his current wife, Alexis Roderick. While his earlier marriages to Elizabeth Weber and Christie Brinkley had smaller age gaps, his marriages to Katie Lee and Alexis Roderick are known for being over three decades apart.
Details About Billy Joel That Will Leave You Empty Inside
Who was Billy Joel's favorite wife?
Elizabeth was Billy's first wife, and likely the love of his life. Elizabeth is featured in the first part of the new HBO Max documentary “And So It Goes. “ After decades, Elizabeth was finally pressured by her granddaughters to tell her side of the Piano Man story.
When did Liberty DeVitto leave Billy Joel?
Longtime drummer Liberty DeVitto was dismissed from Billy Joel's band around 2006. While he played with Joel from 1975 to 2005, he was not asked back for the 2006 tour, marking the end of a 30-year partnership.
What song does Billy Joel refuse to play?
Billy Joel famously stopped performing his Grammy-winning hit "Just the Way You Are" for many years.
What illness is Billy Joel suffering from?
As of May 2025, Billy Joel, 76, was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a neurological condition characterized by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain's ventricles. Symptoms include walking difficulties, memory problems, and balance issues, leading him to cancel concerts and enter treatment.
What did Billy Joel call Taylor Swift?
Billy Joel famously called Taylor Swift the "Beatles of her generation" in a 2021 interview with USA Today. He praised her songwriting skills, productivity, and massive popularity, noting that she "knows music" and is a talented songwriter.
What is Christie Brinkley diagnosed with?
In March 2024, model and actress Christie Brinkley, then 70, revealed she was diagnosed with and treated for basal cell carcinoma, a common and highly treatable form of skin cancer. She underwent successful surgery to remove the cancer, which was located on her face, and is now urging early detection and sun protection.
Does Christie Brinkley still talk to Billy Joel?
Yes, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley remain great friends decades after their 1994 divorce. Despite the challenges in their marriage, they have maintained a close, supportive, and “great” friendship, with Brinkley even describing him as a loyal friend and co-parent to their daughter, Alexa Ray Joel.
Who is Christie Brinkley's son Jack's biological father?
Christie Brinkley's son, Jack Paris Brinkley-Cook, has real estate developer Richard Taubman as his biological father.
Did Christie Brinkley ever remarry after Billy Joel?
Yes, Christie Brinkley remarried twice after her divorce from Billy Joel in 1994. She married real estate developer Ricky Taubman in 1994 (divorced 1995) and architect Peter Cook in 1996 (divorced 2008).
What does Billy Joel's first wife do for a living?
Elizabeth Weber, Billy Joel's first wife and former manager, revealed just how she helped catapult his career! Tap the link in bio for more. #ktlamorningnews #ktlaentertainment #ktla5news #ktla #BillyJoel. Thanks for having her!
How did Billy Joel lose his fortune?
Billy Joel lost a significant portion of his fortune—nearly $30 million—in the late 1980s due to a massive betrayal by his former manager and brother-in-law, Frank Weber. Weber fraudulently invested Joel’s money in failing businesses, double-billed for expenses, and used royalties for unauthorized personal loans, prompting a $90 million lawsuit in 1989.
How much money is Billy Joel worth today?
Billy Joel has an estimated net worth of $250 million. The legendary "Piano Man" built his massive fortune primarily through massive worldwide record sales (exceeding 160 million copies) and highly lucrative, long-running concert residencies, including his historic Madison Square Garden run.
How do you prevent hydrocephalus?
While there is no known way to completely prevent all forms of hydrocephalus, you can lower your risk by avoiding head injuries, treating brain infections promptly, and ensuring quality prenatal care to prevent premature birth. There is no cure, and treatment requires surgical intervention to insert a shunt or create a new pathway for fluid.
Does Billy Joel have a syndrome?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus, Joel's diagnosis, is a form of this condition that commonly results in difficulty walking, loss of bladder control and cognitive impairment, sometimes referred to as the “wet, wobbly and wacky” triad.
Which song is Billy Joel's favorite?
Billy Joel's favorite song that he ever wrote is "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant".
How old was Katie Lee when she was with Billy Joel?
Katie Lee was 23 years old when she married Billy Joel in October 2004. She was 21 or 22 when they first met in 2002 and was 27 when they separated in 2009.
What did Paul McCartney say about Billy Joel?
Paul McCartney famously stated that Billy Joel's 1977 hit "Just the Way You Are" is so perfectly constructed that it is the one song he wishes he had written.
Why did Christie Brinkley leave Billy Joel?
Christie Brinkley left Billy Joel in the mid-1990s primarily due to the severe toll his heavy drinking and frequent absences took on their marriage, which she described as "booze being the other woman". Despite her desire to stay, his addiction, erratic behavior, and their growing distance made her feel "lonely" in their home, forcing a, difficult, final separation.
Did Liberty DeVitto sue Billy Joel?
Legal issues. On May 19, 2009, DeVitto filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan claiming that Joel and Sony Music owed him over 10 years worth of royalty payments. DeVitto had never been given songwriting credit on any of Joel's songs.
Who refused to sing on We Are the World?
Prince is the most notable artist who refused to sing on the 1985 charity single "We Are the World," largely due to his preference to not collaborate in a group setting and a request for a separate room for a guitar solo that was denied. Other artists, such as Waylon Jennings, walked out, and some were not invited.