The Secret Life of Billy Joel: From Stardom to Failed Suicide Attempts
Billy Joel, the “Piano Man” known for his timeless hits and sold-out stadiums, has lived a life filled with both glory and haunting pain. In recent years, the world has come to learn about the darker chapters of his journey—stories he kept hidden behind the curtain of fame for decades.
In his early twenties, Joel found himself in emotional turmoil after becoming romantically involved with Elizabeth Weber—the wife of his close friend and bandmate from the short-lived band Attila, Jon Small. The affair led to the breakup of the band and left Joel wracked with guilt and emotional collapse.
Struggling to cope, Joel attempted suicide not once but twice. In one instance, he swallowed sleeping pills. In another, he drank furniture polish, mistakenly believing it would be a more “showbiz” way to end his life. Both attempts were unsuccessful. Remarkably, it was Jon Small—whose wife had become Joel’s lover—who saved his life during the second incident and brought him to the hospital.
Joel later acknowledged these moments of despair in his songwriting. Songs like “Tomorrow Is Today” and “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” came directly from these dark experiences. Instead of letting those events define him, Joel turned them into powerful musical messages of survival and hope.
Elizabeth Weber later became Joel’s first wife and business manager. Their relationship was intense and complicated, often described as both passionate and turbulent. The marriage eventually ended in divorce in 1982, and their business relationship deteriorated amid disputes over finances.
Despite the personal upheaval, Joel’s musical career flourished. He became one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with multiple Grammy Awards and a long-standing residency at Madison Square Garden. Behind the public triumphs, however, Joel continued to grapple with depression, alcoholism, and the emotional residue of past traumas.
More recently, health concerns have again cast a spotlight on Joel. He was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that affects brain function, balance, and memory. Though non-life-threatening and potentially treatable, the condition has led to cancellations of upcoming performances and has reignited concerns among fans about his well-being.
Through it all, Billy Joel remains a symbol of resilience. His story is not just about music and success, but also about confronting pain, making mistakes, and finding the strength to keep going. His legacy now includes not only the soundtrack of multiple generations, but also a deeply human journey that reminds us all: even icons break—and they can also heal.