Christie Brinkley and Family Rally Around Billy Joel Following Neurological Diagnosis: “We Love You, Piano Man”

By: Carl Schwartzbaum

Music legend Billy Joel, the beloved “Piano Man,” is stepping away from the spotlight after revealing he has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)—a serious neurological condition that affects brain function. As reported by The New York Post, the 76-year-old Grammy winner announced the diagnosis Friday, prompting an outpouring of love and support from fans, fellow musicians, and most touchingly, from his ex-wife Christie Brinkley and their extended family.

Brinkley, 71, shared a deeply personal message on Instagram, offering encouragement and affection for the man with whom she shares a rich and storied past. In a post filled with video clips from a recent Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden, Brinkley and her daughter Sailor Brinkley Cook, 26, are seen enjoying the show and even joining in the music. In one touching backstage moment, Sailor—Brinkley’s daughter with ex-husband Peter Cook—sings along to Joel’s hit “You May Be Right” beside the iconic musician.

As The New York Post report highlighted, Brinkley’s tribute was heartfelt and nostalgic. “Dear Billy, The whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery,” she wrote. The former supermodel fondly recalled searching for old photos of Joel and their daughter Alexa Ray Joel, 39, when she stumbled across the concert footage.

“It made me laugh,” Brinkley wrote, “but it also reminded me of all the joy you create, and all the sensational sing-a-longs you’ve led. You turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison.” Her message struck a deeply emotional chord, as she continued: “We all want you back in that white hot spotlight… you’re OUR piano man. And we’re always in the mood for your melodies.”

The New York Post reported that Joel and Brinkley were married from 1985 to 1994 and remain on amicable terms, sharing their daughter Alexa, a singer-songwriter in her own right. Alexa added her own tribute in response to her father’s diagnosis, posting a black-and-white painting on Instagram that depicts a young girl holding hands with her father—presumably herself and Billy Joel.

“My Dad is the strongest and most resilient man I’ve ever known,” she wrote, as quoted by The New York Post. “He’s entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength.” She ended her post with a deeply personal note: “We love you and we got you, Pop.”

Joel’s condition, normal pressure hydrocephalus, is a disorder that arises when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull, putting pressure on the brain. According to the Cleveland Clinic and cited by The New York Post, NPH can result in symptoms including difficulty walking, cognitive challenges, and problems with vision and hearing—all of which Joel is reportedly experiencing. His team confirmed the condition had been “exacerbated by recent concert performances,” prompting his doctors to prescribe a course of physical therapy and strict instructions to cease all touring activities for the time being.

“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance,” the statement read, as cited in The New York Post. “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.”

The diagnosis explains a series of recent health concerns Joel has faced. In February, he fell on stage during a performance in Connecticut, and later in March, several concert dates were postponed due to what was then described only as a “medical condition.” As The New York Post has closely followed, fans were left worried by the sudden changes, though many now view the earlier incidents as warning signs of the neurological condition now publicly disclosed.

Despite the health challenges, the affection surrounding Billy Joel remains stronger than ever. At his historic Madison Square Garden residency, where he has performed monthly since 2014, the atmosphere has always been electric—filled with longtime fans and newcomers alike. Brinkley captured that sentiment in her post, writing: “We all hope you’re feeling alright. We love you, the kids, me, and an arena or two!”

As The New York Post report noted, Joel’s contributions to music have been monumental. With hits like “Vienna,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” and of course, “Piano Man,” Joel has left an indelible mark on American pop culture. His decades-long career has spanned eras, earning him multiple Grammy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a permanent place in the hearts of millions.

For now, Joel is focusing on recovery, surrounded by the warmth of his family—both chosen and biological—and the enduring love of his fans. As Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel, and The New York Post all echo, the world is waiting patiently for the Piano Man to take his place at the bench once more.