Alexa Ray says dad Billy Joel is ‘a fighter’ and ‘doing great’ since brain disorder diagnosis

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Billy Joel’s daughter Alexa Ray Joel is proud he is taking his health seriously.

The singer-songwriter recently shared that a loved one is making excellent progress with physical therapy and is also losing weight through a dedicated diet. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, they expressed immense pride, describing him as incredibly strong, determined, and committed to his health. They noted he’s always been a fighter, a theme he explores in his new documentary where he compares life to a battle.

Billy Joel, known for his hit song “Piano Man” and featured in the recent HBO documentary about his life, announced in May that he has normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). This condition happens when fluid builds up in the brain, and it was causing Joel problems with his hearing, vision, and balance. As a result, his doctors advised him to temporarily stop performing.

Music

As a huge fan, I’m getting so excited for the second part of HBO’s ‘And So It Goes’ premiering Friday night! To get ready, I put together a list ranking Billy Joel’s most iconic songs – it was tough, but here it is!

Joel previously shared some encouraging updates about his condition in July.

He told People that he understands many are concerned about his health, but he’s doing alright. He explained he’s dealing with a rare condition, one that’s difficult to understand even with research, and he’s focused on managing it and getting better.

He shared on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast that he’s doing well, despite reports describing his condition as a brain disorder. He feels the term makes things sound more serious than they are.

Joel’s daughter, Alexa Ray, revealed that her father minimized the details of his well-known fall onstage during a concert in Connecticut last year, wanting to avoid upsetting her.

She said she cried when she first saw the video. However, after going to the doctor with him, they feel confident they’re handling everything well. She encourages him to focus on staying healthy.

Billy received a heartfelt tribute at a sold-out concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall on Thursday. The event celebrated his life and music, and featured performances by artists like Alexa Ray, Rob Thomas (of Matchbox Twenty), Pat Monahan (of Train), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Itzhak Perlman, Wyclef Jean, and Rufus Wainwright.

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2026-03-13 23:31