Christie Brinkley Speaks About Her Ex-husband Billy Joel's Recent Diagnosis

A health announcement from Billy Joel prompted an Instagram message from Christie Brinkley, a tribute from their daughter, and a wave of varied reactions across social media.

On May 23, 2025, Billy Joel announced that he had been diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain condition most common in people over sixty-five.

The statement, shared via Instagram, explained that recent concerts had worsened his symptoms, which include problems with hearing, vision, and balance. All scheduled concerts were canceled, and he began physical therapy under medical supervision.

The next day, on May 24, Christie Brinkley posted a tribute on Instagram. The video clip showed her and her daughter, Sailor, attending one of Joel's concerts. Her caption read, "Dear Billy ,The whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery."

She explained that the post was initially inspired by her search for photos of Joel with their daughter Alexa Ray Joel. During that search, she came across the video clip, which made her laugh but also reminded her of the energy and joy Joel brings to his audiences.

"It also reminded me of all the joy you create, and all the sensational sing a longs [sic] you've lead [sic] … you turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison," she continued. She emphasized how many people are rooting for his recovery and expressed a collective desire to see him return to the stage.

"We all want you back in that white hot spotlight, you're OUR piano man. And we're always in the mood for your melodies And we all hope you're feeling alright! We Love You, the kids, me and a whole bunch of full arenas," she concluded.

Responses to her post quickly followed. Many praised the gesture, with one commenter writing, "That's class." Another added, "Very classy." Some saw her post as evidence of lasting goodwill, such as one user who commented, "That's because he was never cruel or mean to her. He respected her. So she is paying it back to him."

Another shared, "My heart goes out to Billy and his family during this difficult time. It's beautiful to see Christie showing such grace and support—true love and compassion don't end with divorce. Wishing him strength, healing, and all the love he needs right now."

One person wrote, "Heartfelt support from Christie Brinkley shows the lasting bond they share wishing Billy Joel a smooth recovery." However, not all comments were supportive. A user asked, "Why does she need to use the socials to post this? She can't text him?"

Another wrote, "I think she plagiarized that." Some viewed her post through the lens of her recent press appearances, such as one user who commented, "I recently saw her interviewed about her new book, entitled Uptown Girl. She seemed like she still loves him."

Another commented, "When a woman truly loves a man, she will use her voice to speak truth, wellness and compassionate justice about the one she loves the most ❤️Christy is 💯🇺🇸❤️"

Hours before Brinkley's message, their daughter Alexa had also posted a tribute to her dad. Alongside a black-and-white image of a father and daughter holding hands, she wrote, "SOUND UP 🕊️ We love you and we got you, Pop!" Alexa also thanked fans for their support and described her father as strong and fully committed to recovery.

"My Dad is the strongest and most resilient man I've ever known… and he's entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength," she added. She ended her message with lyrics that speak to the enduring nature of love and music, and signed off with, "🕊️ All My Love, Alexa Ray."

Joel's diagnosis came three months after a public onstage fall in February 2025. During a concert, he theatrically tossed a microphone stand before stumbling backward and collapsing. The moment, captured in a viral video, led to speculation about his health even before the official announcement.

The diagnosis — Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus — develops when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside or around the brain, compressing brain tissue. According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms usually appear gradually over three to six months and can include walking difficulties, urinary incontinence, and cognitive decline.

Though its symptoms resemble those of dementia, NPH can sometimes be reversed with medical intervention if diagnosed early enough.

Brinkley and Joel married on March 23, 1985. They had one child, Alexa, and began building their dream home in the Hamptons. By the early 1990s, their careers and personal pressures had begun to take a toll on their relationship. They separated in 1994.

Brinkley has recently revisited their history in her memoir, "Uptown Girl," released in April 2025. In the book, she wrote about the ups and downs of their marriage. The title was drawn from the hit song Joel wrote, which became synonymous with her public image.

In the book, Brinkley revealed that the song had initially been written for a "mystery girl" Joel had been talking to on the phone, but once their relationship began, he finished the song in her honor. Their romance was captured in the music video for the hit song, where she made a cameo appearance.

Brinkley reflected on the joyful moments they shared—singing together, dancing in the kitchen, and finding humor in everyday life. However, she also described how emotional distance began to form, even while they lived under the same roof.

She acknowledged that it was difficult to write about his drinking and rumored affairs, saying, "The hardest thing to include was criticism of Billy, because I do care about my friendship with him." But alongside those memories, Brinkley also described the emotional distance that eventually set in.

She wrote of feeling "lonely, despite the fact that he was right there." In a moment after their separation, she recalled boarding a helicopter in Colorado for a heli-skiing trip and wondering if Joel would be worried about her.

In an excerpt obtained by People magazine, Brinkley explained that she never truly wanted the marriage to end, writing, "To be clear, I never wanted to end things with Billy. But his drinking was bigger than the both of us."

She later described the separation as deeply painful, calling it "the worst kind of loneliness because you just can't make it work together and that's painful."

As Joel continues his recovery, Brinkley's message and their daughter's tribute remain as public displays of support.