Billy Joel Opens Up About Rehab, Love, and Life After Divorce
Billy Joel, the legendary "Piano Man" and "Uptown Girl," has never been one to shy away from sharing his story — the highs, the lows, and everything in between. At 76, he’s reflecting candidly on a challenging chapter in his life: his battle with alcohol and the time he spent in rehab back in 2005.
The Ultimatum That Changed Everything
It all started with a tough love moment from his then-wife, Katie Lee. At the time, Billy was 55, and Katie, a chef and cookbook author, was just 23. Their 32-year age gap might have seemed like a detail, but it actually played a pretty big role in their story.
In HBO Max’s two-part documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, Joel recalls how Katie gave him a straight-up ultimatum. “Either you do something about your drinking, or this isn’t gonna work out,” she told him. That ultimatum wasn’t just words — it was a life-changing moment that pushed Billy to check himself into the Betty Ford Center for alcohol treatment.
But here’s the thing: rehab isn’t easy, and Billy admits he wasn’t exactly ready or willing at first. “With the rehab, you don’t go for somebody else — you have to go for yourself,” he said. “I didn’t want to do it.”
The Strain on Their Marriage
Their marriage was already on shaky ground when he returned from rehab, and it wasn’t long before things started to unravel. Katie was focused on her career and loved the city life — the social scene, the buzz. Billy sensed their lives were pulling apart.
“There’s a theory that she was having an affair with some guy. That’s a bunch of bulls---,” Billy laughs in the documentary. “We just drifted apart from each other.”
Katie, meanwhile, was honest about the cracks in their relationship, especially when it came to the age difference. “I wanted to be doing all of the things together, but I think that’s where our age came into play,” she shared. And she also admitted there was “maybe always a little resentment that I had really pushed him to go to Betty Ford.”
When Things Fall Apart: The Divorce Conversation
Their struggles reached a breaking point, and one night over dinner, things came to a head. Katie said to Billy, “Bill, I’m unhappy.” His response? Simple and to the point: “Do you wanna get a divorce?” When she said yes, he replied, “Okay.” And just like that, their marriage was over.
That dinner conversation marked the beginning of the end of their five-year marriage, which officially wrapped up in 2009.
The Pain of Divorce and the Return to Drinking
Billy Joel has been through a few divorces in his life — three, to be exact. The documentary shows how each split weighed heavily on him.
“I was going through another divorce — three times,” he said, a little self-deprecatingly calling himself a “three-time loser.” The fear of being alone, the thought of growing old without a partner — it was overwhelming. And to numb that pain, he turned back to drinking.
“It was kind of a lost time,” Billy admitted.
Finding New Paths and New Love
Despite the rocky years, both Billy and Katie have moved on to new chapters filled with fresh love and stability. Katie Lee married television producer Ryan Biegel in 2018. Billy Joel found happiness with Alexis Roderick, whom he married in 2015.
Their stories remind us that life’s twists and turns can be painful but also lead to growth and new beginnings.
Key Takeaways from Billy Joel’s Story:
-
Rehab is a personal journey: You can’t do it for anyone else; you have to want to change yourself.
-
Age gaps can complicate relationships: Different life stages often lead to drifting apart, especially when priorities clash.
-
Honesty matters: The candid dinner conversation between Billy and Katie was painful but clear — sometimes you need that brutal honesty.
-
Pain doesn’t just disappear: Billy’s return to drinking after divorce shows how emotional struggles can lead to setbacks.
-
New beginnings are possible: Both found love again, proving that life doesn’t stop after failure.
Billy Joel’s story is a real-life reminder that even legends face tough personal battles. His openness about his struggles with addiction, love, and loss shines a light on the importance of honesty, self-care, and resilience.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into Billy’s journey, Billy Joel: And So It Goes is streaming now in full on HBO Max.
Login