Elizabeth Ann Weber Was Billy Joel's First Wife Who Inspired Some of His Songs

Elizabeth Ann Weber became Billy Joel's first wife following her extra-marital affair with the rock 'n' roller. Although she managed Joel's successful career for a time, their relationship wasn't all that fulfilling.

Born sometime in 1942, New York native Elizabeth Ann Weber was Billy Joel's wife and manager. She inspired many of his songs, some of which became his staples and all-time classics, as the musician was utterly enamored with her.

Weber had graduated from New York University after attending a private high school; however, the details of her qualification and profession remain unknown. When she became involved with Joel, Weber was already a married woman, and to one of his bandmates.

Though she ensured his success in the industry, despite naysayers who called him "a force of nature and bad taste," Weber seemed only interested in his money. The pair never had any children together, and since their split, Weber led a low-profile life.

Elizabeth Inspired Some of Billy's Songs

After the former couple's first separation, Joel's mental health suffered a downward spiral. He battled alcohol addiction and was a heavy smoker but found solace in songwriting. After marrying Weber in September 1973, Joel dedicated the songs "She's Got a Way" and "She's Always a Woman" to her.

"Just the Way You Are" was another tune in Weber's honor, and although her husband was completely in love with her, the people close to him worried about his union with her. They described Weber as "controlling," "manipulative," and "rude."

Elizabeth and Billy's Relationship Was a Bit Dramatic

Weber and Joel met through Jon Small, the drummer of Joel's former band, The Hassles, in 1970. Weber had been married to Small; however, it's not known when or for how long. After that first encounter, she was soon romantically involved with Joel.

Explaining his attraction to Weber, Joel said she wasn't like any of the girls he'd known at the time; young women who usually took Home Economics or cooking classes. She struck the then-21-year-old musician as a different woman, one who was intelligent and unafraid to speak her mind.

It wasn't long before Small discovered their infidelity. When he did, Weber disappeared for weeks and was not in contact with either of her lovers. Joel subsequently became suicidal, as apart from having an estranged beau, he struggled financially.

Moreover, Joel was a struggling musician living in his mother's house, something he saw as "abject failure." He felt crushing loneliness, as his friendship with Small was also ruined. In his attempt to leave this world, he phoned Small and apologized.

Small immediately rushed to Joel's aid, and thankfully, the singer survived. He tried taking his own life again weeks later, and when he survived a second time, he checked into a mental institution. There, he decided to try and put his life back together.

Weber also returned to the scene, and the pair soon rekindled their relationship. They never had any children, and the business side of their partnership flourished. As Joel's manager, Weber owned 50% of his net worth and was entitled to a managerial cut from his earnings.

Weber also brought her brother, Frank Weber, into managing Joel's finances and business deals, leaving Joel uneasy. He wrote about the predicament in the hit record "The Stranger." Eventually, things fell by the wayside, and they ended their marriage in 1982.

Stiil, Joel was hopeful their separation wouldn't come to pass. He fulfilled all her desires, even buying her a four million dollar home in New York City. Yet when he was involved in a motorcycle accident soon after, she showed up at the hospital with a contract. Weber asked him to sign all his assets over to her.

Reflecting on the painful moment and perhaps alluding to his love for her, Joel said Weber's actions "really killed it right there." Earlier in their marriage, when Joel played "Just the Way You Are" for her as a birthday gift, all she reportedly said was:

"Do I get the publishing, too?"

Though her brother sided with Joel during the divorce proceedings, Joel would later find that Frank stole almost $30 million from his income. The artist filed a lawsuit against Weber's brother for that amount and an additional $60 million in punitive damages in 1989.

Elizabeth Had a Son from Her First Marriage

Weber welcomed Sean Small with her ex-husband, Jon. The pair guarded their son's privacy against the spotlight; however, he was mentioned a few times in Joel's biography "Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography."

In one part of the book, it is revealed that Sean appeared on a 1976 Turnstiles cover alongside Joel. He was nine then, meaning he was born sometime between 1966 and 1967. He also appears in some anecdotes from different people in the memoir.

Elizabeth Has Been Out of the Public Eye for a Long Time Now

Since her divorce from Joel, Weber's life became shrouded in mystery. It's unknown if she continued in the music business, but she did dabble in acting. She appeared in the 1998 sci-fi horror film, "Species," alongside Michael Madsen and Natasha Henstridge.

Two years later, she was in another fantasy horror, "Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2," opposite Jeffrey Donovan and Erica Leerhsen. Her most recent film credit is in 2016's "The Purge: Election Year" with Frank Gillo and Mykelti Williamson.

And while Weber's love life remained hidden, her ex-husband gave love a chance a few more times. Joel's second wife was Christie Brinkley, then he moved on to Katie Lee and finally found happiness with Alexis Roderick, with whom he became a father of three.