Billy Joel is more than just a piano-playing hitmaker. At 75 years old (born May 9, 1949), Joel remains one of America’s most celebrated singer-songwriters and a living legend in pop and rock music. With a net worth of $250 million as of 2025, his journey from Long Island teenager to global superstar is as rich as the songs he’s written. Let’s explore the story behind his fortune, legacy, family, and real estate holdings.
How Billy Joel Became a Music Icon
Billy Joel’s music career began in the 1960s with local bands like The Echoes and The Hassles. In 1971, he released his debut solo album Cold Spring Harbor. Although it didn’t chart high, it opened the door for bigger opportunities. Joel’s breakthrough came with the 1973 album Piano Man, which featured the now-iconic title track. This song would go on to define his image and sound for decades.
Between 1977 and 1983, Joel released several of his most successful albums:
- The Stranger (1977)
- 52nd Street (1978)
- Glass Houses (1980)
- An Innocent Man (1983)
Hits like “Just the Way You Are,” “Movin’ Out,” “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” and “Uptown Girl” made him a staple on radio stations around the world.
By the time he stepped away from pop recording in 1993, Billy had sold over 160 million records globally. He is one of the top-selling solo artists in history and a six-time Grammy winner with 23 nominations.
His Massive Touring and Residency Earnings
Even after retiring from making new pop records, Joel kept earning millions through touring. His concerts, especially his long-running residency at Madison Square Garden, are legendary.
Joel began his MSG residency in 2014, performing monthly. By the end of 2019, he had grossed $150 million from this series alone. Between 2014 and July 2024, he played 104 shows to 2 million attendees, generating $260 million in ticket sales. At the peak of this run, he could earn $2–3 million per show.
His New Year’s Eve concert in 2019 alone grossed $4.6 million. Between 2017 and 2019, Joel earned an estimated $50 million. His MSG residency concluded in July 2024 with his 100th show in the series, which also marked his 150th lifetime performance at the venue.
Family, Personal Life, and Marriages
Billy Joel was born in the Bronx, New York City, and raised in Hicksville, Long Island. His father, Howard Joel, was a classical pianist who fled Nazi Germany. His mother, Rosalind Nyman Joel, was of English descent. Billy has one sister, Judy, and a half-brother, Alexander Joel, a professional conductor in Europe.
Despite being a high school dropout, Joel earned his diploma in 1992 by submitting essays to make up for missing credits. Over the years, he’s also received several honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions like Berklee College of Music and Syracuse University.
Billy has been married four times. His first marriage to Elizabeth Weber ended in financial disaster after her brother, Frank Weber, was found to have mishandled $30 million of Joel’s money. He later won an $8 million settlement after suing his legal and accounting teams.
His second marriage to model Christie Brinkley lasted from 1985 to 1994. They had a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, who is also a singer. Billy then married chef Katie Lee from 2004 to 2009. Since 2015, he has been married to Alexis Roderick, a former Morgan Stanley executive. They share two daughters: Della Rose and Remy Anne.
Real Estate Empire Worth Millions
Billy Joel’s real estate portfolio is as headline-worthy as his music. He has bought and sold several luxury properties in Florida and New York.
Centre Island, New York
In 2002, he purchased a 14-acre estate in Centre Island for $22.5 million. Over time, he expanded the property to 26 acres and increased the size of the mansion from 14,000 to 20,000 square feet. This home features a beach house, helipad, and two swimming pools. In May 2023, Joel listed it for $49 million. In March 2025, he sold a 5-acre section called the “gatehouse” for $8.5 million.
Sag Harbor, New York
Joel also owns a home in Sag Harbor, another upscale Long Island community.
Manalapan, Florida
In 2014, he bought two neighboring properties in Manalapan for nearly $12 million. He later listed the combined estate for $29 million and sold one mansion for $10.3 million in 2020, though he retained the vacant lot.
In 2015, he purchased another Manalapan estate for $22.5 million. This 13,000-square-foot mansion was listed in January 2024 for $55 million, later reduced to $50 million in March 2024.
New York City
Joel’s ex-wife Katie Lee received a New York City townhouse after their divorce. She later sold it in 2011 for $12.9 million.
Business Setbacks and Side Ventures
Billy Joel is no stranger to financial ups and downs. In 1989, he sued Frank Weber for $90 million after discovering Weber had misused $30 million of his funds. The scandal left him nearly broke after his divorce from Elizabeth Weber.
To supplement his income, Joel owned Long Island Boat Company and a custom motorcycle shop in Oyster Bay. He also co-wrote The Book of Joel: A Memoir in 2011 with journalist Fred Schruers.
Legacy and Final Thoughts
Billy Joel’s story isn’t just about hit songs and sold-out concerts. It’s about survival, resilience, and a love for music that has never faded. From his early days in Long Island to his grand finale at Madison Square Garden, he’s shaped American music in unforgettable ways.
At 75, he’s not only a father and husband but a multimillionaire who turned personal setbacks into fuel for a remarkable career. Whether it’s through songs like “Piano Man” or business moves in real estate, Billy Joel continues to strike the right chord with fans old and new.
