Billy Joel can invariably rely on Christie Brinkley to stand firmly by his side. On Saturday, May 24th, the 71-year-old model posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, paying homage to her 76-year-old ex-husband after he disclosed his recent diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) just a day earlier.
Brinkley shared a video montage featuring various clips of herself and her daughter, Sailor Brinkley Cook (whose father is Peter Cook), attending one of Billy's concerts. Alongside the video, she penned, "The entire Brinkley clan is sending you an ocean of love and heartfelt wishes for a swift and complete recovery."
"I was scrolling through photos, searching for some adorable snapshots of you and Alexa to send your way, when I stumbled upon this footage from a recent concert," she continued. "It evoked chuckles... but it also served as a poignant reminder of the boundless joy you bring into the world and the unforgettable sing-alongs you've led."
"You have a magical way of transforming an arena filled with strangers into a cozy living room brimming with friends, all swaying in perfect harmony," Brinkley added. "I'm confident I speak on behalf of everyone in attendance when I urge you to take wonderful care of yourself. We eagerly await your triumphant return to the blazing spotlight—you are OUR piano man. Our hearts are always ready for your melodies, and we sincerely hope you're feeling much better! We cherish you deeply, the kids, myself, and countless arenas alike!"
Billy and Brinkley tied the knot in 1985, two years after they first met. They welcomed their daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, in 1985, before parting ways in 1994. In her recently published memoir, 'Uptown Girl,' Brinkley reminisced about their chance encounter at a dive motel bar in St. Barts.
"He certainly didn't exude the aura of a rock star," the mother of three reflected on her initial impression of Billy, who was seated behind a piano. "The man was badly sunburned, his face resembling the hue of cranberries, slick with oil he had undoubtedly applied to soothe his burnt skin. His appearance was topped off by what I fondly term 'the Long Island bubble': a shell of curly, lacquered hair that was all the rage in 1980s suburban New York," Brinkley elaborated.
In a recent chat with PEOPLE about her blossoming romance with Billy, Brinkley reminisced, "We laughed uncontrollably, as if disbelief had taken over our senses." She continued, "Yet, beneath that playful exterior, he was incredibly sensitive, indulging in old-world gestures—bouquets of flowers, heartfelt notes, poetic verses, and melodious tunes. He'd venture into recording studios, penning songs and dedicating them to me, saying, ‘This one’s for you.’ How could my heart resist falling in love with him?”
Brinkley further revealed that witnessing Billy's live performances ignited a fiery spark within their relationship during their time spent together. "When I heard his soulful voice resonate across the stage, I found myself inexplicably drawn to this physically alluring and charismatic man," she elaborated.
On May 23, Billy announced that he would be canceling all scheduled concerts due to his diagnosis with NPH—a condition where an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid occurs in the brain ventricles. The father of two daughters, Della Rose Joel, 9, and Remy Anne Joel, 7, with his wife Alexis Roderick, is currently undergoing targeted physical therapy as prescribed by his doctors. Additionally, he has been advised to refrain from performing during his recovery period.
Hours after Brinkley's heartfelt post for her ex-husband, their daughter Alexa, 39, paid tribute to Billy in her own way, amid his health struggles. Sharing a black-and-white artwork depicting a father holding his young daughter's hand, she penned, in part, "We love you and we're here for you, Pop!"
"The genuine care, empathy, and concern showered upon him by everyone mean the world to him… and to me too," Alexa added, concluding her caption with the lyrics from Billy's "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)"—a song he wrote for her and released on his 1993 album, River of Dreams.
