Is Billy Joel married? Singer's family details explored in the wake of getting diagnosed with brain disorder

Billy Joel Performs Onstage - Source: Getty
Billy Joel Performs Onstage in Illiniois, 1990 ((Image via Getty)

Billy Joel announced on May 23, 2025, that he would be canceling all concerts until July 2026, after learning that he had normal pressure hydrocephalus. In February, Billy was scheduled for surgery at the age of 76, after he fell from the stage due to his balance problem.

Based on his doctor’s advice, he is now focusing on physical therapy and not singing on stage right now. All ticket holders for the shows that were canceled will get their money back, and Joel has appreciated the fans’ patience.

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Billy Joel’s condition involves fluid buildup that affects balance and memory

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) occurs when there is an accumulation of brain fluid in the ventricles, not raised pressure. As pressure spreads in the area, it can cause difficulties with walking, remembering things and managing the bladder.

Symptoms that resemble dementia or aging conditions often lead to a tough NPH diagnosis. The primary treatment is surgery to install a shunt that helps drain extra fluid, and later, rehabilitation exercises are performed. Most patients get better when they see the doctor promptly, and Joel’s team believes he is on the road to recovery.

Billy Joel Performs Last Show of Madison Square Garden Residency (Image via Getty)
Billy Joel Performs Last Show of Madison Square Garden Residency (Image via Getty)

Billy Joel married Alexis Roderick in 2015, and they have two daughters

Joel’s current marriage is his fourth. He and Alexis Roderick were married on July 4, 2015, at his Long Island home in a small ceremony led by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo. Roderick, a former Morgan Stanley executive and competitive equestrian, met Joel in 2009.

Their first daughter, Della Rose, was born on August 12, 2015, and their second daughter, Remy Anne, arrived on October 22, 2017. Billy and Alexis keep their family life largely private, splitting time between Long Island and Florida as they support each other through his treatment.

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He shares his eldest daughter, Alexa Ray, with Christie Brinkley and has been married four times

Before marrying Roderick, Billy Joel was married three times. His first marriage to Elizabeth Weber Small lasted from 1973 to 1982. In March 1985, he married model Christie Brinkley, and they welcomed their daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, on December 29, 1985.

Joel and Brinkley divorced in August 1994 but have remained friends and co-parents. His third marriage, to chef Katie Lee, ran from 2004 until their separation in 2009. Alexa Ray, now 39, has pursued her own music career and sometimes performs alongside her father.

As Billy Joel focuses on therapy, his wife and daughters are expected to play a central role in his daily routine and emotional support. Doctors treating NPH note that patient outcomes improve when family members help encourage exercises and monitor progress.

Billy Joel has expressed gratitude for the care he has received and for his family’s support during this difficult period. Although there is no set date for his return to the stage, fans remain hopeful that with rest, treatment, and the love of his family, Joel will resume performing in good health.

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Edited by Ayesha Mendonca