Billy Joel's ex-wife Elizabeth Weber speaks out after his brain disorder diagnosis

Yahoo

14 hours ago

Billy Joel's first ex-wife, Elizabeth Weber, has broken her silence following the iconic musician's shocking brain disorder diagnosis.
The 'Uptown Girl' hitmaker, who was married to Weber from 1973 to 1982, revealed last month that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Following the diagnosis, Weber reflected on the pair's ill-fated marriage — saying that she always knew the so-called Piano Man would become a star.
'He's worked so hard all of his life,' Weber told E! News at the Tribeca Festival premiere of 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes' in NYC on Wednesday.
'I've never known anybody who worked harder than he did in all those years we were together and working together.'
While the 5-time Grammy winner, 76, wasn't in attendance at the glitzy premiere, his wife Alexis Roderick Joel, 43, was there in his place.
'I just want him to be restored to good health so he can enjoy his life and his wife and his children. He earned that,' Weber said of her ex-husband. 'The restoration of his good health is all I really care about.'
Although their union crumbled after just seven years, Weber told the outlet that she still admires his work deeply, to the point where she finds it difficult to choose a favorite track.
'There's too many of them, and they're all marvelous,' she said. 'Someone can be in the audience and look at him and say, 'That could be me.''
'Not everybody can be an unnamed pianist who sings, but everyone thinks that they could do that or be that,' she added.
The 'New York State of Mind' musician canceled all his tour dates through next year after he announced his diagnosis.
The rare disorder, which reportedly affects about 0.2% of people between the ages of 70 and 80, occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up inside the skull, presses on the brain and disrupts cognitive functioning.
'Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH),' the 'Only the Good Die Young' crooner's team said in a lengthy Instagram announcement on May 23.
'This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,' it continued. 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.'
'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience,' his team added, 'and thank you for understanding.'
Following the news, his wife Alexis broke her silence on the diagnosis, thanking fans for the 'outpouring of love and support.'
'We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received,' she wrote on Instagram.
'Bill is beloved by so many, and to us, he is a father and husband who is at the center of our world. We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.'
Earlier this week, Howard Stern shared a positive update on his longtime pal's well-being.
During an episode of SiriusXM's 'The Howard Stern Show' Tuesday, the 71-year-old shock jock insisted that the crooner is 'not dying.'
'I saw Billy Joel two weeks ago,' he told co-host Robin Quivers. 'We had dinner together.'
'Yeah, he does have issues,' Stern continued. 'But he said, 'Yeah, you can tell people, you know, I'm not dying.' You know, he wants people to know that. He just, he's gotta deal with some medical stuff, but he was delightful.'