It’s a funny thing about Billy Joel. You think you know him because you’ve screamed the lyrics to "Piano Man" in a dive bar at 2:00 AM, but his actual life—specifically his romantic life—is way more complicated than a catchy hook. People always want to talk about the "Uptown Girl" era, but that’s just one slice of a very long, sometimes messy, and ultimately pretty sweet story.
Right now, in 2026, the Billy Joel spouse conversation starts and ends with Alexis Roderick. They’ve been married since 2015. But to understand why this fourth marriage seems to be the one that finally stuck, you have to look at the trail of muses and managers that came before her. It wasn't always glitz, glamour, and supermodels. Honestly, it started with a scandal that nearly ended his life before he even became a household name.
The First Muse: Elizabeth Weber (1973–1982)
Most casual fans don't realize that Billy’s first marriage was basically a soap opera. Elizabeth Weber was married to Billy’s bandmate and best friend, Jon Small, when she and Billy started an affair. It was heavy stuff. When it all came out, Billy was so distraught he actually attempted suicide by drinking furniture polish. Luckily, he survived, and he and Elizabeth eventually married in 1973.
She wasn't just his wife; she was his manager.
Elizabeth was tough. She was the "European-type" girl who wasn't afraid to speak her mind, and she inspired the heavy hitters: "She’s Got a Way," "She’s Always a Woman," and "Just the Way You Are." There’s a famous story—some say it’s a bit of a legend, but Billy has confirmed the vibe—where he played "Just the Way You Are" for her birthday, and her first response was to ask if she got the publishing rights.
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That’s the kind of relationship it was. Business and pleasure were so tangled up that when they divorced in 1982, it wasn't just a heartbreak; it was a professional disaster.
The Supermodel Era: Christie Brinkley (1985–1994)
Then came the Christie Brinkley years. If Elizabeth was the grit, Christie was the gloss. They met in St. Bart’s in 1983. Billy was at a piano bar, and he was suddenly surrounded by Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson, and a young Whitney Houston. Talk about a good night.
He and Christie married in 1985 on a boat in the Hudson River. This was the "Uptown Girl" peak. Even though he actually started writing that song about Elle Macpherson (sorry to burst the bubble), Christie became the face of that era. They had Alexa Ray Joel together, who is now 40 and a talented musician in her own right.
Why did they split? It’s kind of sad, really.
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Billy was touring like a madman to make back money he lost in a massive legal battle with his former brother-in-law (Elizabeth’s brother, Frank Weber). The distance and the grueling schedule just tore them apart. They divorced in 1994 but—and this is rare for celebs—they stayed genuinely close friends. You’ll still see her at his shows, cheering him on.
The Chef and the Surprise: Katie Lee and Alexis Roderick
Marriage number three was to Katie Lee in 2004. She was a 23-year-old culinary student when they met; he was 55. It was a big age gap that the tabloids loved to pick apart. They were together for about five years before calling it quits in 2009. No big drama, just two people at very different stages of life.
Then came Alexis.
Alexis Roderick, a former Morgan Stanley executive and accomplished equestrian, met Billy at a restaurant in Huntington, Long Island. They dated for six years before pulling off a total "gotcha" on their friends. They invited everyone over for a July 4th party in 2015 and then... just got married. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo presided over it.
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The couple has two daughters:
- Della Rose (born in 2015)
- Remy Anne (born in 2017)
What Makes This One Different?
At 76, Billy seems... settled. He’s been through the ringer with the industry and the heartbreaks. Alexis is 33 years his junior, which people still talk about, but she’s been a rock through some recent health scares, including his bout with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Unlike the earlier years, you don't see Alexis in the music videos or managing the books. She’s private. They live a relatively quiet life on Long Island when he’s not selling out stadiums. It’s less about being a "muse" and more about being a partner.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking into the history of a Billy Joel spouse, keep these things in mind to separate fact from fan-fiction:
- Check the Songwriting Credits: Don't assume every love song is about the current wife. Most of the 70s hits belong to Elizabeth Weber, while the mid-80s "Innocent Man" vibe is all Christie.
- Watch the Documentaries: The 2025 HBO doc Billy Joel: And So It Goes is the most honest look at these relationships. Elizabeth Weber even did a rare interview for it.
- The Age Gap Factor: While the media focuses on the years between Billy and Alexis, friends of the couple point to their shared love of Long Island and a low-key lifestyle as the real glue.
- Blended Family Success: Billy is a case study in how to be an "ex." His ability to keep Christie and even Elizabeth (to an extent) in his orbit without constant friction is a big reason his kids are so well-adjusted.
At the end of the day, Billy Joel’s marriages are a roadmap of his career. From the struggling artist with a manager-wife to the global superstar with a supermodel, he’s finally landed in a place that feels like home. It took four tries, but he’s finally found someone who loves him just the way he is.