The Four Women Behind The Piano Man: A Deep Dive Into Billy Joel's Wives And What They Are Doing Today
Few musicians have woven their personal lives into their music as profoundly as Billy Joel, the legendary 'Piano Man,' whose relationships have served as the muse for some of his most iconic and enduring hits. As of December 2025, the music icon has been married four times, each union spanning a significant chapter of his life and career, resulting in three daughters. This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at the four women who have held the title of Billy Joel's wife, detailing their biographies, the songs they inspired, and what their lives look like now, including the latest on his current marriage to Alexis Roderick.
The saga of Billy Joel's marriages is a fascinating study of celebrity relationships, spanning from a turbulent partnership with his first manager to a stable life with his current wife, an accomplished equestrian. The common thread through all these unions is the raw, emotional material they provided for his songwriting, cementing his place as one of the great musical storytellers of our time.
The Complete List of Billy Joel's Wives and Daughters
Billy Joel has been married four times and is the father of three daughters.
- First Wife: Elizabeth Weber (m. 1973; div. 1982)
- Second Wife: Christie Brinkley (m. 1985; div. 1994)
- Daughter: Alexa Ray Joel (b. 1985)
- Third Wife: Katie Lee (m. 2004; div. 2010)
- Fourth (Current) Wife: Alexis Roderick (m. 2015; Present)
- Daughter: Della Rose Joel (b. 2015)
- Daughter: Remy Anne Joel (b. 2017)
1. Elizabeth Weber: The Muse Behind the Melodies (1973–1982)
Elizabeth Weber was Billy Joel's first wife, and arguably the most influential on his early career. Their relationship was tumultuous, beginning with a controversial affair that broke up his band and nearly ended his life. She was a pivotal figure in his rise to fame, serving as his manager during a crucial period.
Biography and Relationship Timeline:
- Full Name: Elizabeth Ann Weber Small
- How They Met: Joel met Elizabeth in the late 1960s when she was married to his best friend and bandmate, Jon Small. Their affair led to the dissolution of Joel's band, Attila, and a period of deep emotional turmoil for the musician.
- Marriage: They married in 1973.
- Divorce: The couple divorced in 1982.
- Career: She became Joel's manager, a role that was reportedly fraught with financial complications.
The Songs She Inspired:
Elizabeth Weber is credited as the inspiration for some of Joel's most beloved and complex ballads, capturing her elusive, strong, and sometimes frustrating personality.
- "She's Got a Way" (1971)
- "She's Always a Woman" (1977)
- "The Stranger" (1977)
- "Just the Way You Are" (1977) is often misattributed to her, but its sentiment is widely considered to reflect his feelings for her at the time.
What She Is Doing Today:
Elizabeth Weber has largely remained out of the public eye for decades. However, she has recently re-emerged to speak about her past with Joel, confirming that despite the dramatic history, their relationship today is "all good."
2. Christie Brinkley: The Uptown Girl (1985–1994)
Billy Joel's marriage to supermodel Christie Brinkley was a high-profile union that defined the celebrity power couple of the 1980s. Their relationship produced his first child, Alexa Ray Joel.
Biography and Relationship Timeline:
- Full Name: Christie Lee Hudson
- How They Met: The couple met in 1983 on the Caribbean island of St. Barts. Joel was immediately smitten with the globally famous model.
- Marriage: They married in 1985.
- Divorce: They divorced in 1994, citing career demands and disagreements over where to live (Long Island vs. New York City).
- Career: Brinkley is one of the most famous supermodels of all time, known for her numerous appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
The Songs She Inspired:
Brinkley is the undisputed muse for one of Joel's biggest global hits.
- "Uptown Girl" (1983): The song was written about Brinkley, whom Joel described as an "uptown girl" who was out of his league, despite his fame. Brinkley even starred in the iconic music video.
What She Is Doing Today:
Christie Brinkley remains a successful entrepreneur, model, and actress. She has maintained a close, friendly relationship with Billy Joel, often attending his concerts, including his historic The 100th: Live at Madison Square Garden concert. Their daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, is a professional singer and songwriter.
3. Katie Lee: The Culinary Star (2004–2010)
Joel’s third marriage was to Katie Lee, a relationship notable for its significant age gap—Joel was 55 and Lee was 23 when they married. The union lasted six years, seeing Lee launch a successful culinary career.
Biography and Relationship Timeline:
- Full Name: Katherine "Katie" Lee Biegel
- How They Met: They met in 2002 at the Peninsula Hotel in New York City. Lee, who was a student at the time, reportedly did not know much about the legendary rock star.
- Marriage: They married in 2004.
- Divorce: They divorced in 2010.
- Career: Lee is a highly successful chef, cookbook author, and television personality, best known as a co-host of Food Network’s The Kitchen.
Life After Billy Joel:
After their divorce, Katie Lee successfully transitioned into her own spotlight in the culinary world. She is now married to television producer Ryan Biegel, whom she wed in 2018. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Iris, in 2020.
4. Alexis Roderick: The Current Chapter (2015–Present)
Billy Joel’s current and fourth wife is Alexis Roderick. Their relationship began quietly, and they have built a family together on Long Island, New York, focusing on their two young daughters.
Biography and Relationship Timeline:
- Full Name: Alexis Roderick Joel
- How They Met: They first met in 2009 at a restaurant in Huntington, New York. Roderick was working as a financial advisor near Morgan Stanley at the time.
- Marriage: Joel and Roderick married in a surprise ceremony for guests gathered for their annual Fourth of July party in 2015.
- Career: Roderick is an accomplished equestrian and former financial advisor. Her passion for horses led Joel to purchase a sprawling Hamptons home with its own horse farm.
Family Life and Recent Updates:
Alexis Roderick and Billy Joel have two daughters, Della Rose Joel and Remy Anne Joel, born in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Joel, who became a father again in his mid-60s, has often spoken about taking fatherhood "very seriously" this time around. Roderick has also recently used her public platform to raise awareness about her personal journey with health issues, sharing updates with fans.
Topical Authority: The Lasting Influence on Billy Joel's Music
The four marriages of Billy Joel are more than just a list of celebrity relationships; they are a chronological map of his creative output. The shift in tone from the intense, complex love songs inspired by Elizabeth Weber to the playful, upbeat anthem for Christie Brinkley, and finally to the quiet, family-focused life with Alexis Roderick, reflects the evolution of the "Piano Man" himself.
Each woman brought a unique perspective and set of circumstances that fueled his songwriting, from the raw emotion of "The Stranger" album era to the pop perfection of "An Innocent Man." The constant presence of his three daughters—Alexa Ray, Della Rose, and Remy Anne—also ensures that the legacy of these relationships continues to inspire him. His dedication to his children and his current, stable life on Long Island with Alexis Roderick signifies a peaceful final movement in a life that has often been as dramatic and passionate as his music.
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