Billy Joel's Wife Alexis Breaks Silence on His Diagnosis

As the 76-year-old legendary singer steps away from the spotlight due to a serious medical diagnosis, his wife is revealing the untold story behind their private health battles — and the strength that has kept their family grounded through it all.

Billy Joel's wife, Alexis Roderick, has spoken publicly for the first time about her husband's recent health diagnosis. In a statement shared via Joel's official Instagram account on May 26, 2025, she expressed appreciation for the support the family has received during this difficult period.

"Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received. Bill is beloved by so many, and to us, he is a father and husband who is at the center of our world. We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future," wrote Roderick.

Her message follows an earlier announcement from Joel on May 23, confirming the cancellation of all his scheduled concert performances.

The statement revealed that the singer had been diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). This condition had worsened following recent shows and caused issues with hearing, vision, and balance.

Following medical advice, Joel is now undergoing targeted physical therapy and will not be performing during his recovery. "I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding," said Joel in the announcement.

The canceled shows comprised several major stadium dates across North America and Europe. These include a performance with Sting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, originally set for April 26, 2025, which has been postponed with no new date confirmed.

Additional affected dates include a July 5, 2025, concert in Pittsburgh with Rod Stewart, and an August 8 show in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Stevie Nicks. Scheduled performances in Santa Clara, Detroit, Toronto, and Liverpool have also been impacted, with some shows rescheduled from earlier 2025 dates.

Fans do not need to take any action to receive ticket refunds. Payments will be returned automatically to the original method of purchase. However, refunds will only be issued to the original buyer if tickets had been transferred.

In the weeks leading up to Joel's official diagnosis announcement, the artist had already begun making changes to his touring schedule. On March 11, 2025, Joel posted an update on Instagram stating that all upcoming concerts would be postponed for four months due to a medical condition.

The statement explained that this break was necessary to allow for recovery from recent surgery and to undergo physical therapy as recommended by his doctors. Joel assured fans that he was expected to make a full recovery and would resume touring later that year.

"While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding," Joel expressed in the post.

At the time, the tour was set to resume on July 5, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Several tour dates were rescheduled as a result, including November 15, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit with Stevie Nicks; March 14, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto; and June 6, 2026, at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.

Other affected locations included Syracuse, Salt Lake City, Liverpool, Charlotte, and Milwaukee, with previously purchased tickets automatically honored for the new dates.

As Joel adjusted his schedule, Roderick also addressed her husband's condition during a May 10, 2025, interview with Fox News Digital. Reflecting on his long-running performance schedule and the challenges of planning tours at his age, she provided insight into his health status and ongoing recovery efforts.

"He's doing well," she said. "It's funny, I was just having this conversation the other day. He's going to be 76. And I don't think of him that way. People don't think of him in that way, but he is. And he's been doing this job nonstop for 15 years — just this recent run."

"With the exception of COVID, he's been working every two weeks for 15-plus years," Roderick continued. "And it's a lot. At 75, 76, there comes a time where you can't always plan out everything you need to do a year and a half in advance, you know? And that's how long these schedules are. You're booking it that long prior."

Sharing more details about her husband's health, Joel stated, "So, sometimes your health has to take priority, and things have to get postponed. But really, in the grand scheme of things, he's a healthy person, and he's well and working on himself, trying to get better and do what he has to do medically."

"So it's important, you know, we need him around so he has to do what he has to do. I had to do what I had to do. Now he has to do what he has to do." She concluded by adding, "But at least I'm able to pick up his deficits now, so it's OK."

While Joel faced significant health issues of his own, his wife also endured a serious medical journey in recent years. On March 19, 2025, his official Instagram account shared a message from Roderick marking Endometriosis Awareness Month.

In the post, she opened up about her personal struggle with the condition, describing years of pain, multiple misdiagnoses, and inadequate medical responses.

"A year ago, I met my earth angel. His name is Dr. Tamer Seckin," Roderick penned. She explained how she had gone through "years of pain, misdiagnosis, failed surgeries, followed by internal bleeding," and had often been told by doctors that she was "fine."

Roderick described one pivotal moment when she went to a third emergency room in extreme pain, prompting her to search for a specialist. Her research led her to Dr. Seckin, and after one surgery, 27 lesions were removed, along with her appendix.

Following the procedure, Roderick said her abdominal cavity was cleared of the disease. She credited Dr. Seckin and the Endometriosis Foundation of America for their important work in raising awareness and advancing research.

"Our family has privately supported this work, but in honor of March being Endometriosis Awareness Month, I wanted to do my part to help others who are unheard," she mentioned.

During her May 10 conversation with Fox News Digital, Roderick further reflected on the physical and emotional toll the condition had taken, particularly while on tour with Joel and their children.

She admitted, "I was doing it, but I was not doing it very well." Traveling across time zones while caring for young children and managing her own health challenges made the experience especially difficult.

"If you've ever traveled with children and done a time zone change, that alone is an insane situation," she noted. "So, if you add in also having a husband, that requires time and attention — you know, he's working, we're not vacationing. And me going through what I'm going through, it was really rough."

Despite the challenges, Roderick noted that the support around them made a significant difference. "Luckily, when he's touring, we have a lot of support, which was really helpful," she explained. "And you have to, because you reach your limit. I mean, there's nothing you can do."

The couple shares two daughters, Della, 9, and Remy, 7. Joel also has a 39-year-old daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, with his ex-wife Christie Brinkley, 71.

Roderick said the uncertainty around her symptoms added to the stress. "We all entered this not knowing anything about it, I think as most of us do," she divulged.

"And it's difficult because I know that I didn't feel well." She added, "Your fuse is very short at that point when you're dealing with two little kids traveling the world and you're in excruciating pain."

As time went on, Roderick said Joel became a strong source of support. "So picking up where I leave off and covering my deficits during that time was huge. We're just always researching — he'll email me articles like 'Did you know that this happens with endometriosis?'"

"Never in a million years would I think that he would be sending me that kind of stuff, but when you're watching someone suffer, you pick up. You have to. It's what we do, we're a family," she shared.

Joel and Roderick Joel were married on July 4, 2015, during their annual Independence Day celebration, as confirmed by Joel's publicist Claire Mercuri.

The surprise ceremony was the singer's fourth marriage. The couple began dating in 2009 and were expecting their first child at the time of their wedding.

Together, Billy Joel and Roderick have faced significant personal health challenges while continuing to support each other and their family. As they focus on recovery and well-being, they remain committed to transparency with fans and hopeful for the future.