A Look Back at Christie Brinkley's Time With Billy Joel
In the pages of her upcoming memoir, Uptown Girl, Christie Brinkley takes readers on a journey through her life, including the whirlwind romance that unfolded when she met music icon Billy Joel back in 1983. In an exclusive excerpt shared with People, the legendary model delves into the highs and lows of their relationship, revealing how deeply they were "hopelessly in love" before their eventual split.
Christie paints a vivid picture of their early days together, describing how Billy's charm and sensitivity swept her off her feet. "We laughed like you couldn’t believe," she told People in an accompanying interview shared on April 16, 2023. "He was so sensitive and did all the old-fashioned things—flowers, notes, poems, and songs. He'd go into the recording studio and write songs just for me. How could I not fall head over heels for a guy like that?"
She recalls the first time she saw Billy perform live, saying, "When I heard him sing on stage, I found myself undeniably attached to this physically hot and charismatic man. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before." Christie, now 71, fondly remembers the fun they had together, from cooking meals to giving each other playful nicknames like "Bada Bing and Bada Boom." It was clear that their connection ran deep.
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Marriage, Motherhood, and Heartbreak
The couple tied the knot in 1985, and that same year welcomed their daughter, Alexa Ray Joel. For nine years, they shared a life filled with love and laughter, but ultimately, their relationship hit a rocky patch. They officially divorced in 1994, marking the end of an era for both of them.
In her memoir, Christie writes candidly about the challenges they faced, particularly Billy's struggles with alcohol. "To be clear, I never wanted to end things with Billy. But his drinking was bigger than the both of us," she reveals. Reflecting on their breakup, she adds, "When a relationship isn't functioning the way you want it to anymore, that's the worst kind of loneliness. You just can't make it work together, and that's painful."
Life After Billy Joel
Since her time with Billy, Christie has been married and divorced four times. She welcomed son Jack Brinkley Cook with ex-husband Richard Taubman in 1995 and daughter Sailor Brinkley Cook with ex-husband Peter Cook in 1998. Despite the ups and downs of her personal life, Christie remains optimistic about the future.
During a January 2024 interview with People, she admitted, "I'm open to finding love again, but there just doesn't seem to be anybody out there. At the same time, I'm pretty comfortable with my life the way it is. Que será, será!" The Michigan native believes strongly in the importance of being happy alone, saying, "I always said that you have to be content on your own so that you get with a partner for the right reasons—not because you're clinging to them out of need."
On Billy's side, he also moved on after their divorce, marrying celebrity chef Katie Lee in 2004. Their marriage lasted five years before they parted ways in 2009. In 2015, Billy found love again with Alexis Roderick, and together they have two daughters, Della Rose, 9, and Remy Anne, 7.
Despite the passage of time, Christie insists that she and Billy remain on good terms. "He lives mainly in Florida now, so we don't see him as much as when he lived in Sag Harbor," she explained. "But when he comes by to visit Alexa, he'll stop in and say hello."
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She even attended one of Billy's concerts in April 2024 at NYC's Madison Square Garden, where she danced along to "Uptown Girl," the iconic song that featured her in its music video. It's clear that while their romantic chapter may have ended, their shared history continues to bring them joy and fond memories.
