Billy Joel's Four Wives: The Untold Stories Behind The Piano Man's Muses, From Uptown Girl To His Current Spouse

Few rock stars have their personal lives so intrinsically woven into their musical catalog as Billy Joel. The legendary "Piano Man" has channeled the triumphs and heartbreaks of his romantic journey into some of the most enduring hits in music history, leading fans to constantly ask about the women who inspired the songs. As of the current date, December 10, 2025, Joel is happily married to his fourth wife, Alexis Roderick, enjoying a quiet life on Long Island while still performing his historic residency.

The story of Billy Joel's four marriages—to Elizabeth Weber, Christie Brinkley, Katie Lee, and Alexis Roderick—is a saga of muses, supermodels, celebrity chefs, and unexpected second chances. Each relationship holds a significant place not only in his life but in the cultural history of his music, offering a fascinating look at the man behind the piano.

Billy Joel: A Full Biography of Spouses and Children

William Martin "Billy" Joel, born May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His romantic life has been as high-profile as his career, resulting in four marriages and three daughters.

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• Full Name: William Martin Joel
• Born: May 9, 1949 (Age 76 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, U.S.
• Occupation: Singer-songwriter, Composer, Pianist
• First Wife: Elizabeth Weber (Married: 1973; Divorced: 1982)
• Second Wife: Christie Brinkley (Married: 1985; Divorced: 1994)
• Third Wife: Katie Lee (Married: 2004; Divorced: 2009)
• Current Wife: Alexis Roderick (Married: July 4, 2015)
• Children: Alexa Ray Joel (with Christie Brinkley), Della Rose Joel (with Alexis Roderick), Remy Anne Joel (with Alexis Roderick)
• Notable Accolades: Six Grammy Awards, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1999), Kennedy Center Honors (2013).

The First Muse: Elizabeth Weber (1973–1982)

Billy Joel's first wife, Elizabeth Weber, is arguably the most influential on his early, iconic work. Their relationship was tumultuous and dramatic, beginning when Weber was still married to Joel's bandmate and friend, Jon Small. This complex love triangle became the foundation for some of his most profound music.

The Songs She Inspired

Weber is widely credited as the muse for two of Joel's most enduring and introspective hits, establishing her as an essential figure in his creative history.

• "She's Always a Woman": This tender, complex ballad from The Stranger album (1977) is a direct tribute to Weber's strong, contradictory nature.
• "The Stranger": The title track from his breakthrough album is also said to have been inspired by the duality he saw in his first wife.

Their marriage lasted nine years, ending in divorce in 1982. Weber also acted as Joel's manager for a period, showcasing the deep, multi-faceted nature of their connection before their eventual split.

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The "Uptown Girl": Christie Brinkley (1985–1994)

Following his divorce from Weber, Joel met supermodel Christie Brinkley, a relationship that instantly became a media sensation and defined the pop culture landscape of the mid-1980s. They met in 1983 while vacationing in St. Barts.

The Inspiration for a Global Hit

Brinkley is forever immortalized in the smash hit "Uptown Girl." While Joel initially started writing the song about his relationship with Elle Macpherson and other models, Brinkley's appearance in the iconic 1983 music video cemented her place as the song's definitive muse.

The couple married in 1985 in a lavish New York Harbor wedding. Their only child together, daughter Alexa Ray Joel, was born in December 1985. Alexa Ray, named after the legendary Ray Charles, has followed in her father’s footsteps as a singer-songwriter. Despite their nine-year marriage ending in divorce in 1994, largely due to Joel's rigorous touring schedule and drinking, they remain famously amicable co-parents and friends to this day.

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The Culinary Star: Katie Lee (2004–2009)

Billy Joel's third marriage was to Katie Lee, a food critic and television personality who was significantly younger than him. They married in 2004, when Joel was 55 and Lee was 23. Lee has since become a highly successful culinary star, known for co-hosting the Food Network's The Kitchen.

• Marriage Length: Five years (2004 to 2009).
• Katie Lee's Career: She rose to prominence in the culinary world, becoming a respected author and TV host.
• The Split: The couple announced their split in 2009, stating they remained "caring friends with admiration and respect for each other."

This marriage marked a period of relative quiet in Joel's songwriting and personal life compared to the high-profile drama of his previous unions, but it confirmed his pattern of finding love with strong, successful women in the public eye.

The Current Chapter: Alexis Roderick (2015–Present)

Billy Joel’s current and fourth wife is Alexis Roderick, a former Wall Street executive and equestrian who has brought a new sense of stability and domesticity to the rock star's life.

Meeting and Marriage

The couple first met in 2009 at a restaurant in Huntington, New York, where they were both dining. After six years of dating, they surprised their guests at their annual Fourth of July party at Joel’s Oyster Bay estate on Long Island in 2015 by exchanging vows in a spontaneous ceremony.

The marriage to Roderick, who is 43 years old as of 2025, marked a significant age gap with Joel, who is now 76, but the relationship has been defined by their shared commitment to family life.

A Growing Family

Alexis Roderick and Billy Joel have welcomed two daughters together, completing Joel’s family of three girls, all with musical names:

• Della Rose Joel: Born August 12, 2015, just weeks after their surprise wedding.
• Remy Anne Joel: Born October 22, 2017.

Joel has often spoken about the joy of being an older father, a sentiment that resonates deeply with his fans. His life with Alexis and their young daughters is centered on their Long Island home, providing a grounded and happy backdrop to his continued, historic concert residency at Madison Square Garden. This phase of his life, characterized by a focus on family and a steady, long-term partner, represents a peaceful new chapter for the "Piano Man."