Alexis Roderick Joel heartfeltly acknowledges the overwhelming support her husband, Billy Joel, has received from his devoted fans. Last week, the iconic "Piano Man," now 76, disclosed his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and regretfully announced the cancellation of all his forthcoming concerts. On Monday, May 26th, Alexis, through Billy's Instagram account, shared an emotional statement accompanied by a heartwarming photograph of herself, Billy, and their daughters, Della, 9, and Remy, 7.
"We are deeply touched by the avalanche of love and support poured out to us," she began. "We are immensely grateful for the exceptional care and prompt diagnosis we've received."
At 43, Alexis continued, "Bill is cherished by countless individuals, but to us, he is the irreplaceable father and husband who stands as the pillar of our universe."
"We hold onto hope for his full recovery," she affirmed. "We eagerly anticipate the day we can reunite with all of you."
Billy's diagnosis of NPH, a condition characterized by an accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid within the brain's ventricles, was first revealed on Friday, May 23rd, via a note posted on his Instagram page.
According to the statement, his recent concert performances had exacerbated his health conditions, resulting in impairments in hearing, vision, and balance.
The "Uptown Girl" crooner is currently undergoing tailored physical therapy as per his doctor's directives and has been advised to refrain from performing during this crucial recovery phase.
The statement emphasized that Billy is "profoundly thankful for the exceptional care he is receiving and is steadfastly committed to prioritizing his health. He is deeply appreciative of the unwavering support from his fans during this challenging time and eagerly looks forward to the day he can once again grace the stage."
Addressing his fans, he said, "I am sincerely sorry for disappointing our audience and thank you for your understanding."
This cancellation follows an incident where Billy fell during a concert at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut in February. A month later, he announced the postponement of his concerts until June, citing a "medical condition" that necessitated "physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors."
Following the announcement, Billy's daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, who he shares with his ex-wife Christie Brinkley, paid a heartfelt tribute to him. She posted a poignant black-and-white artwork depicting a father holding his young daughter's hand, captioning it, "We love you and we got you, Pop!"
"The genuine affection, empathy, and concern shown by everyone mean the world to him… and to me too," Alexa, 39, added, concluding her caption with lyrics from "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)"—a song Billy wrote for her on his 1993 album, River of Dreams.
Brinkley, 71, also shared her own statement on Instagram on Saturday, May 24th. "The entire Brinkley family sends you an ocean of love and heartfelt wishes for a complete and swift recovery," she penned.
