Christie Brinkley shares health update on ex Billy Joel after brain condition forced him to cancel tour

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Christie Brinkley let her fans know that her ex-husband, Billy Joel – the singer who famously wrote “Uptown Girl” about her – is doing well.

The singer and his wife, a model known from Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, were married for nine years, from 1985 to 1994. They have a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, who is now 40 years old.

Even after their divorce, they remained good friends. He often played ‘Uptown Girl’ for her when she came to his concerts.

Last May, the 76-year-old singer had to cancel his tour because he was diagnosed with a brain condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH.

Joel explained that an illness was causing him problems with his hearing, vision, and balance, issues he’d been dealing with while performing on stage before making his announcement.

Eleven months after publicly revealing his diagnosis, 72-year-old Henry Winkler says he’s ‘doing very well’ in his health journey, according to an interview with Hello! magazine.

In March, Carnegie Hall held a concert honoring Joel, and Alexa performed his song “This Night” as he watched from the audience.

Brinkley mentioned Alexa was thrilled to perform for him, and he regretted not being able to attend. He was away on a trip, but otherwise everything was great.

She shared these latest thoughts at the City Harvest 2026 Benefit Gala in New York. Her radiant and flawless skin immediately sparked conversation and guesses about her skincare routine.

Fans are amazed by Christie’s youthful appearance. One Reddit user wondered how she still looks like she’s in her 50s despite being in her 70s, while another on X commented that she must have had excellent cosmetic surgery, saying it’s as if she’s had a whole new face.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH, causes fluid to accumulate in the brain. If detected and treated with surgery early on, it can be improved. However, if left untreated, NPH can lead to lasting brain damage.

Last month, after performing for her dad at Carnegie Hall, Alexa shared that he was consistently attending physical therapy and had lost weight thanks to his diet.

She expressed immense pride in him, describing him as incredibly strong and dedicated to his health. She noted his fighting spirit, something he himself discusses in his documentary, where he compares life to a battle, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Last July, Joel tried to ease his fans’ concerns, telling People magazine that he was doing alright despite worries about his health.

He admitted knowing very little about his own condition, even after extensive research, but clarified he wasn’t seriously sick.

He shared that he first noticed something was wrong when he started having trouble with his balance, describing it as feeling constantly unsteady, ‘like being on a boat all the time.’

In his recent HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, Joel openly talked about his relationship with Brinkley and how much he struggled after they split up.

I was dating this incredibly beautiful supermodel, which was surreal for me – I grew up in a small town! I kept wondering what I was doing there, and what she saw in me. But it was a really creative period, and I ended up writing a lot of songs inspired by her. She really sparked my imagination.

It felt like revisiting my teenage years, with all the excitement and new feelings of falling in love all over again.

They had a wonderful time when they first fell in love, but his demanding career in entertainment eventually put a lot of pressure on their marriage, causing it to fall apart.

Joel described a difficult period when he was in a relationship with someone he loved, but couldn’t be there for his family due to his commitments. He said it was a very sad time for him. The singer is well-known for hits like ‘Piano Man’ and ‘New York State of Mind’.

I came to understand that love isn’t solid or permanent. It often feels strong, but hidden problems can slowly damage it, and eventually, those issues surface. It’s a really painful experience, and I was completely heartbroken.

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2026-04-25 04:19