Christie Brinkley Opens Up About Heartbreaking Split from Billy Joel: “I Knew I Couldn’t Stay”

Supermodel Christie Brinkley is stepping back into the spotlight—not with another dazzling runway moment, but with a deeply personal story. As she gears up for the release of her memoir Uptown Girl on April 29, Brinkley is getting real about her legendary romance—and heartbreaking split—with music icon Billy Joel.

In a new interview with Page Six, Christie opened up about the highs, the lows, and the moment she realized their fairytale was over.

Let’s dive into it—because who hasn’t wondered what really happened behind one of the most talked-about love stories of the ’80s?

How Did Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel First Fall in Love?

Their romance was the stuff of dreams. Christie Brinkley, one of the most famous supermodels of the era, and Billy Joel, the charismatic “Piano Man,” became an instant power couple after they met in the mid-80s.

“He just swept me off my feet,” Christie reminisced to Page Six. The two led a life full of excitement—jet-setting around the globe, basking in each other’s success, and living that glamorous rockstar-model fantasy.

According to Christie, “We were such nomads, gypsies—just between his job and mine, we were seeing the world…it was wonderful, really wonderful.”

What Made Their Marriage Start to Fall Apart?

As magical as their life looked on the outside, cracks were forming behind closed doors.

Christie revealed in Page Six that Billy’s drinking became a major issue. Despite their deep bond—calling him “probably really soulmates”—his alcohol use created a distance she couldn’t fix.

“He would disappear for days sometimes,” she shared. Christie recalled heartbreaking moments like Billy missing their daughter Alexa Ray’s fifth birthday party and disappearing during Thanksgiving celebrations.

In an excerpt from her memoir shared with People, she wrote, “Billy’s drinking was bigger than the both of us.”

She even tried everything—reading self-help books, attending therapy sessions, and visiting medical doctors—hoping to save their marriage.

When Did Christie Know It Was Truly Over?

There was one surreal moment that made everything crystal clear.

While hosting Billy’s band for a rehearsal at their home, Christie watched in disbelief as Billy became convinced that his bandmates had eaten his pasta—even though he had already eaten it himself.

“He was acting delusional in a way I’d never seen before,” she recalled in her interview with Page Six.

That bizarre evening became the final straw. The next day, Christie told Billy she wanted a divorce, even though her heart still cared deeply for him.

Does Christie Brinkley Still Have Feelings for Billy Joel?

Despite everything, Christie speaks about Billy with warmth and respect.

“He’s the father of my firstborn, and we spent such great formative years together. And I’ll love him forever,” she shared with Page Six.

In her memoir excerpt shared with People, Christie wrote that the worst kind of loneliness is “when the relationship isn’t functioning the way you want it to anymore.”

Even today, there’s no bitterness—only appreciation for the good memories they shared.

A Bittersweet Goodbye That Still Holds Love

Christie Brinkley’s story is a reminder that sometimes, even deep love isn’t enough to keep a relationship alive when bigger struggles get in the way.

Through her vulnerability, Christie shows that honoring the good while acknowledging the pain is possible. As Uptown Girl hits shelves, fans will finally get a closer, heartfelt glimpse at one of the most iconic love stories of its time—straight from Christie herself.

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