Christie Brinkley sends ex Billy Joel ‘lots of love’ after his brain disorder diagnosis: ‘You’re our piano man’
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Christie Brinkley sends a heartfelt message to ex-husband Billy Joel as he pauses performances due to brain disorder.
The model and actress shares heartfelt support for her ex-husband, music icon Billy Joel, as he cancels performances to prioritize his health.
Christie Brinkley is standing by her ex-husband, Billy Joel, as he confronts a difficult health diagnosis. In a touching Instagram post, the model and actress offered her encouragement just days after the legendary musician revealed he has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare brain disorder.
Brinkley, 70, shared a heartfelt tribute to Joel, 75, accompanied by clips from one of his recent concerts, where she and their daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, 39, were seen enjoying his performance. The footage served as a reminder of the joy Joel has brought to audiences over the decades.
“Dear Billy, the whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery,” she began. “I was looking for some cute photos of you and Alexa to send you, when I came across this clip from a recent concert. It made me laugh… but it also reminded me of all the joy you create, and all the sensational sing-a-longs you’ve led.”
Brinkley continued, praising Joel’s remarkable ability to unite fans through music: “You turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison. I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone in that room when I say, please take good care of yourself. We all want you back in that white-hot spotlight.”
In a nod to his signature hit, she added, “You’re OUR piano man. And we’re always in the mood for your melodies. We all hope you’re feeling alright. We love you.”
Billy Joel’s team announced on Friday that the singer has been forced to cancel all upcoming concert dates to focus on his recovery. According to a statement posted to his official social media accounts, Joel’s recent performances have worsened symptoms related to NPH, including problems with hearing, vision, and balance.
Under medical advice, Joel is currently undergoing physical therapy and has been instructed to refrain from live performances during this period. His team said he is grateful for the care he’s receiving and is focused on regaining his health. “He is thankful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage,” the statement said.
The diagnosis comes amid a reflective time for Brinkley, who recently released a memoir titled Uptown Girl, named after the hit song Joel famously wrote with her as his muse. In the book, Brinkley revisits her relationship with the singer-songwriter, including the memorable night he serenaded her during her 30th birthday celebration in front of thousands of fans.
“Afterward, I thought how so few people were ever able to have their love publicly celebrated like that,” Brinkley wrote. “Which amplified how we both felt about each other that night, making us almost dizzy with love.”
Brinkley and Joel met in 1983 and married in 1985. That same year, they welcomed their only child, Alexa Ray, who has since followed in her father’s footsteps as a musician. The couple divorced in 1994 but have remained supportive of each other throughout the years.
Following their split, Brinkley went on to marry Richard Taubman briefly, and later Peter Cook, with whom she shares two more children. She and Cook separated in 2008. Joel, meanwhile, is now married to Alexis Roderick, and the couple share two daughters.
As fans across the world send their best wishes to Billy Joel, Brinkley’s message stands out as a personal and deeply emotional show of solidarity. Her words reflect not just nostalgia for their past, but ongoing respect and admiration for a man whose music has touched millions.
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