Billy Joel has a lot to share these days. In 2023, he confirmed that he has stopped drinking, and his new HBO documentary titled Billy Joel: And So It Goes gives us a glimpse into his past struggles with alcohol.
Reflecting on his life, Joel recounts how he ended up in rehab in 2005 due to a pivotal moment with his then-wife, Katie Lee. The legendary artist reveals that she essentially gave him an ultimatum: he had to either confront his drinking or their relationship would come to an end.
“She told me, ‘Either you do something about your drinking, or we’re done,’” Joel, 76, shares in the documentary. “Things were not going well between us at that time.”
Ultimately, Joel checked into the famous Betty Ford Center, but he admits it wasn’t his first choice. He shares, “When you go to rehab, it needs to be for your sake. You have to want to do it, and at that time, I really didn’t.”
Joel and Lee tied the knot in 2004. At this stage, he had stepped away from the spotlight and was not touring. Lee mentions in the documentary that he needed to engage in creative expressions to combat the anxiety that came from not having an outlet for his artistry. On top of that, she faced the challenge of supporting him through addiction, something she had no prior experience in.
After starting rehab, Lee reflects that things were quite delicate between them, and she sensed some resentment from Joel regarding her urging him to get help. She also notes that differences in their social life — going out versus staying in — began to surface as an issue in their relationship. “We both wanted it to work, but it became clear that it wasn’t going to,” she says.
The couple divorced in 2009, and soon after, Joel found love again, marrying Alexis Roderick in 2015. They now have two daughters, Della, 9, and Remy, 7, while Joel also has a daughter, Alexa Ray, 39, from his previous marriage to model Christie Brinkley. Katie Lee went on to marry Ryan Biegel in 2018.
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Billy confirmed his decision to abstain from alcohol. “I quit a couple of years back. It wasn’t because of a big push from AA; I just reached a point where I felt enough was enough,” he explained, adding he didn’t find joy in being drunk, and it caused problems in his life that he didn’t want anymore.
And So It Goes offers a closer look at Billy’s life, intertwined with his celebrated music. Despite feeling hesitant to put such personal matters on display, he reflects that the experience ultimately revealed a lot to him.
Presently, Joel expresses that he’s loving being a husband and father, enjoying this cherished chapter of his life.
Dennis Arfa, Joel’s long-time agent, mentioned how great it is to see him thriving in his role as a dad and cherishing family moments. “It’s fulfilling,” Arfa remarked. “I adore rooting for Billy’s happiness and achievements. He has experienced his fair share of life’s challenges, and I couldn’t be happier for him now.”
