Billy Joel's former spouse, Elizabeth Weber, discloses details about their relationship during Joel's struggle with his brain disorder
Billy Joel, the renowned American singer-songwriter, has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder that causes excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain's ventricles. This condition has been causing symptoms such as cognitive decline, balance difficulties, hearing and vision problems, and urinary incontinence.
Current Status
Despite the diagnosis and symptoms, Joel remains optimistic and is committed to recovery through physical therapy under medical supervision. He described his balance issues as feeling "like being on a boat." The condition is not fixed, but Joel expressed that the diagnosis sounds worse than his actual condition and reassured fans not to worry about him being gravely ill.
Impact on Career
Joel has had to cancel all scheduled concerts starting in May 2025, including a 17-date U.S. and England tour planned with other big artists. He had finished an extensive residency at Madison Square Garden in July 2024 before these health issues arose. In August 2025, Joel announced the closure of his motorcycle shop and plans to auction his motorcycle collection, citing health reasons related to his NPH diagnosis. He is currently refraining from performing to focus on recovery.
Personal Life
The diagnosis and resulting health challenges have led Joel to step back from the spotlight and prioritize his health. He expressed gratitude for the excellent medical care and the support from fans during this difficult time.
Billy Joel's personal life has been marked by several significant relationships. He was married to Katie Lee from 2004 to 2009 and to Elizabeth Weber from 1973 to 1982. He has a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, with his ex-wife Christie Brinkley. Currently, Joel is married to equestrian Alexis Roderick and they have two children, Della Rose Joel and Remy Anne Joel.
Contrary to some rumours, the article does not provide any information about Princess Andre, Katie Price, the Beckhams, or a Howard Stern scandal. It is also worth noting that Elizabeth Weber, Joel's ex-wife, can contact him whenever she wants, and they are not distant, but they live in different states. Sean Weber-Small, Elizabeth Weber's son, and his grandkids have spent quality time with Billy Joel.
In a twist of events, it was Billy Joel's granddaughter, Ella, who taught him what TikTok is. Joel's career is the subject of a new two-part documentary titled "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" on HBO.
[1] Medical News Today
[2] CNN
[3] Billboard
[4] NBC News
[5] Rolling Stone
- Billy Joel, who has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), shared that he is currently immersing himself in a variety of sources for entertainment like videos, news, and magazines during his recovery from the brain disorder.
- As a part of his recuperation process, Billy Joel has been spending time learning about new forms of music and keeping up with the latest updates on celebrities in the industry.
- In an unexpected turn of events, it was revealed that Ella, one of Billy Joel's granddaughters, introduced him to TikTok, a popular social media platform centered around short videos.
- Despite having to cancel upcoming concerts, the renowned artist Billy Joel has shown gratitude for the time spent with his family, mentioning that his daughter Alexa Ray Joel, grandkids, and even his ex-wife Elizabeth Weber's son Sean Weber-Small have remained in close contact.
