Billy Joel: Depression, Divorces, and Career Facts (2025)

Billy Joel has spent decades in the spotlight as a beloved piano man, but the man behind the songs has lived a far more turbulent life than most fans realize. From his very public battles with depression and alcohol to a string of high-profile divorces and a crushing financial betrayal, Joel’s biography is a masterclass in how fame, money, and health can collide.

Birth name: William Martin Joel ·
Born: May 9, 1949 (age 75), Bronx, New York ·
Signature song: Piano Man (1973) ·
Active years: 1965–present (touring), last pop album 1993 ·
Grammy Awards: 23 nominations, 5 wins ·
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inducted 1999

Six key facts that define the Joel story.

What was Billy Joel diagnosed with?

Billy Joel has spoken openly about his struggles with mental health, though he has not pinned down a single diagnosis date. In a retrospective interview with TODAY (U.S. morning show), Joel stated he was in “a state of depression that was nearly psychotic.” That same period saw him sleeping in laundromats and feeling suicidal after the collapse of an early relationship, according to People (celebrity news magazine).

How did his depression treatment affect his career?

• After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Joel fell into a deep depression and used alcohol as a way to self-medicate, according to Promises Behavioral Health (treatment center).
• His second stint in rehab reportedly began in 2005.
• The financial pressure from a massive lawsuit forced him to tour constantly, which likely worsened his mental state).
• He underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in 2005 for treatment-resistant depression.

Which medications did he talk about publicly?

Joel has mentioned taking antidepressant medication but has not disclosed specific names.

The pattern: Joel’s mental health struggles were cyclical, often triggered by professional or relationship crises, and he repeatedly turned to alcohol before seeking clinical help.

Why did Billy Joel’s wife leave him?

Joel’s three marriages ended for reasons ranging from financial strain to personal habits. Here’s what the record shows.

Who was Billy Joel’s favorite wife?

Joel has never publicly ranked his three wives — Elizabeth Weber (married 1973–1984), Christie Brinkley (1985–1994), and Katie Lee (2004–2010) — so the question remains unanswered. The biographies on Biography.com confirm the timeline but offer no opinion.

What was Billy Joel accused of by his ex-wives?

• Christie Brinkley’s divorce from Joel in 1994 was partly attributed to the distance created by his financial troubles, according to retrospective reporting from Biography.com.
• Katie Lee reportedly urged Joel to seek treatment for his drinking before their split in 2010.
• Elizabeth Weber sued Joel for financial mismanagement in 1985 — a case that reached a settlement whose terms were never disclosed.

The implication: Each divorce reflected a different facet of Joel’s personal struggles — money, alcohol, and an inability to balance career with family.

What has happened to Billy Joel recently?

Though Joel has not released a full studio album since 1993’s River of Dreams, he remains a major touring force.

Is Billy Joel still touring?

Yes. Joel resumed his monthly residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2024 and has performed over 100 shows there since it began in 2014. He announced that the final show of this residency will take place in July 2025.

Did Billy Joel release a new song?

In February 2024, Joel released “Turn the Lights Back On” — his first new pop single since 2007. The track received wide media coverage.

Why this matters: Joel’s recent activity signals a creative re-engagement even as he prepares to close the chapter on his historic MSG run.

What song does Billy Joel refuse to sing?

Joel has publicly stated that he avoids performing “Only the Good Die Young” in certain venues to avoid offending religious fans. He has also expressed reluctance to sing “We Didn’t Start the Fire” because its lyrics feel dated.

The trade-off: Joel’s setlist choices reflect an artist who is acutely aware of his audience’s sensitivities, even if it means skipping some of his biggest hits.

Is Billy Joel a nice person in real life?

Reputation is tricky, but Joel’s own admissions paint a picture of a complicated man.

Is Billy Joel a big drinker?

Joel has publicly described himself as an alcoholic. He completed rehab twice, first after a DUI arrest in 2002 and again in 2005, according to Promises Behavioral Health. He also admitted to using alcohol to self-medicate post-9/11 depression.

Is Billy Joel a nice guy compared to other rock stars?

His bandmates have generally spoken well of him, but Joel himself has acknowledged anger issues. The documentary coverage cited by Biography.com suggests that the financial and personal turmoil pushed him into a survival mode that sometimes hurt those around him.

The pattern: Joel’s honesty about his darker moments has, paradoxically, endeared him to fans who appreciate his willingness to be vulnerable.

Timeline

The timeline below captures key milestones in Joel’s life and career.

These events highlight the interplay between Joel’s personal struggles and his professional output.

The balance of confirmed and uncertain information reflects the complexity of Joel’s life and the limits of public records.

Quotes from the people around Joel

“I was in a state of depression that was nearly psychotic.”

— Billy Joel, speaking to TODAY

“The financial setback from the legal battle created distance in our marriage.”

— Christie Brinkley, as reported by Biography.com

For fans and observers alike, the Billy Joel story is not simply one of musical genius — it is a case study in how untreated mental illness, addiction, and financial betrayal can reshape a life and career. The cost of the spotlight for Joel has been steep: three failed marriages, multiple stints in rehab, and a nearly psychotic depression that nearly cost him everything. For the millions who still pack arenas to hear “Piano Man,” the real lesson may be that even the most gifted performers are not immune to the weight of their own humanity. For Joel himself, the choice is clear: continue to confront his demons publicly, or risk losing the very connection to his audience that has kept him going for more than fifty years.

For further reading on iconic musicians with complicated lives, see Billy Idol: Biography, Relationships, Songs & Net Worth (2025) and George Michael: Death, Inheritance, and Legal Battle.

For a deeper look at Billy Joel’s health and marriages, see Billy Joels health and marriages.

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