How Many Wives Did Billy Joel Have? What Most People Get Wrong

Billy Joel has had four wives. Most people usually remember the "Uptown Girl" years or the flashy model marriages, but the Piano Man’s romantic history is actually a lot more complicated—and a lot more heartbreaking—than the tabloids let on. It’s a story of broken bands, hospital bedside breakups, and a surprising amount of legal drama.

Honestly, if you look at the lyrics to his biggest hits, you’re basically reading a diary of his marriages. From the woman who managed his money to the Wall Street executive he's with now, each relationship shaped his music in ways that still define rock history.

The First Marriage: Elizabeth Weber Small (1973–1982)

The first time Billy Joel got married, it wasn't exactly a fairytale. It was a mess. Elizabeth Weber was actually married to Billy’s best friend and bandmate, Jon Small, when they first met. Billy fell hard. He fell so hard that it literally tore his band, Attila, apart.

There’s a famous, somewhat dark story about this era. After their affair was discovered, Elizabeth left both men for a while. Billy spiraled so deep into depression that he actually attempted suicide by drinking furniture polish. He later joked that it "tasted like lemon," but at the time, it was no laughing matter. Eventually, they reconnected and tied the knot in 1973.

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Elizabeth wasn't just his wife; she was his manager. She was tough, savvy, and some say she was the inspiration for "She's Always a Woman." She took a 10% cut of his earnings as his manager on top of the marital assets. Things got ugly toward the end. While Billy was in the hospital recovering from a horrific motorcycle accident in 1982, Elizabeth reportedly showed up with a contract asking him to sign over everything. That was pretty much the end of that.

The Icon: Christie Brinkley (1985–1994)

If you ask the average person about Billy Joel's wives, they’re going to name Christie Brinkley. She was the ultimate "Uptown Girl." They met in St. Barts in 1983. Billy was playing piano at a bar, and suddenly he was surrounded by supermodels—Elle Macpherson and Christie Brinkley among them.

They married on a boat in the Hudson River in 1985. This was the "peak" Billy Joel era. They had a daughter together, Alexa Ray Joel, who is a musician herself now. For nearly a decade, they were the "it" couple of New York.

So, why did they split? It wasn't one big blow-up. It was more about the grueling reality of the road. In the recent 2025 documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, Christie opened up about how his "River of Dreams" tour basically killed the marriage. He was gone for months, and when he was home, he was struggling with heavy drinking. She famously said, "Booze was the other woman." They divorced in 1994 but, remarkably, they are still very close friends today.

The Short Chapter: Katie Lee (2004–2009)

After about a decade of being a bachelor, Billy met Katie Lee at a hotel bar in Manhattan. She was 23; he was 55. The age gap was a huge talking point for the press, but they seemed genuinely happy for a while. Katie was just starting her career as a chef and TV personality.

They married at his home in Oyster Bay in 2004, with Alexa Ray serving as the maid of honor. But as Katie’s career took off with Top Chef and her own cookbooks, they started drifting. Rumors swirled about Katie’s social life in the Hamptons, but Billy always defended her. They officially separated in 2009. It was probably his "quietest" divorce, all things considered.

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Finding Peace: Alexis Roderick (2015–Present)

Billy Joel's fourth wife is Alexis Roderick. They met in 2009, shortly after his split from Katie Lee. Alexis was a high-powered executive at Morgan Stanley, and she’s significantly younger than Billy—about 33 years, actually.

They were together for six years before they pulled a fast one on their friends. On July 4, 2015, they hosted their annual Independence Day party at his Long Island estate. While everyone was expecting burgers and fireworks, they ended up witnessing a wedding presided over by Andrew Cuomo.

Since then, Billy has become a "girl dad" all over again. They have two daughters:

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• Della Rose, born in 2015
• Remy Anne, born in 2017

At 76, Billy seems more settled than he’s ever been. He frequently brings his young daughters on stage at Madison Square Garden, and Alexis is often seen supporting him through his recent health battles with NPH (a brain fluid condition).

How the Marriages Changed His Music

You can't talk about Billy's wives without talking about the songs. It's almost like a map of his heart.

• Elizabeth Weber: Inspired "Just the Way You Are," "She's Got a Way," and "She's Always a Woman."
• Christie Brinkley: Inspired the entire An Innocent Man album, specifically "Uptown Girl."
• Alexis Roderick: Inspired him to return to the stage and eventually release "Turn the Lights Back On" in 2024, his first new pop song in decades.

What to Remember About Billy’s Journey

If you're looking for lessons from the Piano Man’s love life, it’s mostly about resilience. He’s been through the ringer—legal battles with his first wife, public scrutiny with his second and third, and the physical toll of decades on the road.

If you want to dive deeper into his story, check out the 2025 HBO documentary And So It Goes. It’s probably the most honest he’s ever been about his mistakes and his triumphs. You can also follow Alexa Ray Joel on social media; she often shares vintage photos and sweet updates about the whole "extended" family, including her dad’s current life with Alexis and the kids. It’s a rare Hollywood story where almost all the exes actually get along.