Why Billy Joel’s first wife Elizabeth Weber agreed to join HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, after decades of privacy

Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin take an intimate approach to Billy Joel’s story, focusing on his tumultuous love life, especially his complex relationship with Elizabeth Weber, his first wife and former manager, in their new docuseries.

HBO's Billy Joel: And So It Goes premiered on July 18, 2025, and will feature the untold story behind rock legend and singer Billy Joel, a six-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.

While the Just the Way You Are singer is behind some of the most iconic pop songs of his generation, his personal life was equally scandalous and laden with issues like money management, failed marriages, and alcohol addiction.

Weber, the most pivotal figure in Joel's career, finally breaks her silence in HBO's latest docu-series. According to her, she made this decision after Susan Lacy personally approached and convinced her.

While the ex-couple is not close now, they are on amicable terms, especially after Joel was diagnosed with a brain disorder recently.

More on Billy Joel: And So It Goes in our story.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes: Billy Joel's first wife, Elizabeth Weber, finally breaks her silence

While HBO's latest docuseries, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, will uncover many unseen aspects of the singer's life, fans are clearly anticipating the appearance of Elizabeth Weber, the singer's first wife.

Joel and Weber had a nine-year marriage (from 1973 to 1982), following which they both had other relationships. While Billy Joel continued to remain a public figure, Elizabeth Weber adopted a quiet lifestyle and has remained out of the public eye after her divorce, until Billy Joel: And So It Goes.

While Elizabeth Weber has never spoken about her tumultuous marriage with her ex-husband, she will appear in an exclusive interview in the docu-series. She also attended the screening with her son at the Tribeca Festival in Beacon Theatre on Wednesday, with stars like Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Whoopi Goldberg, and many more.

Weber, who has maintained her privacy through all these years, is a dear friend to Steven Cohen, the producer of Billy Joel: And So It Goes, as she told People Magazine:

"I love Steve and I worked with him, and he's a close friend of mine...but I thought, 'Wait a second. I have a really nice life. I have a lot of privacy.'"

However, Elizabeth Weber agreed to appear in the docuseries after Lacy convinced her, as she added:

"Susan approached me in a very personal way, and it resonated with me, and Billy licensed the music, so I knew that there would be good music. So it felt right — and it still does."

Billy Joel: And So It Goes: How did Susan Lacy convince Elizabeth Weber?

Lacy, one of the directors of the HBO docuseries, wanted to paint a truthful and vivid picture of the artist's life.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes will feature archival footage, home footage from Joel's childhood, performances from his various concerts, and exclusive interviews with fellow artists Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Pink, Nas, and all of the singer's wives.

While his previous wives, Christie Brinkley and Katie Lee, and his current partner Alexis Roderick were immediately on board, Elizabeth Weber took some convincing, as Lacy revealed to Variety:

''She spent 40 years not talking about Billy Joel – not mentioning his name. I mean, her son, who was with Billy for the first 16 years of his life, had girlfriends who didn’t even know that he ever had a connection to Billy Joel. That’s how separated they were from that life.''

She added:

''It was not easy to get Elizabeth to participate. I had to really work hard on that. I told her that I wanted to tell her story. I said, “I think your story hasn’t been told. I think you’ve been misrepresented on social media. I think you’re a huge part of why Billy became Billy.”

While it was certainly hard, Lacy managed to convince Weber, who is now an active part of Billy Joel: And So It Goes.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes Part 2 will be released on HBO Max on July 25. 2025.

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