Billy Joel is one of the best-selling music artists of all time and ranks as the fourth top-selling solo artist in U.S. history. His 1985 compilation, Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II, remains one of the country’s best-selling albums, and The Stranger—featuring classics like “Just the Way You Are” and “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)”—sold over 10 million copies and made him a household name in American music.
But while his music career has hit every high note, Joel’s love life has had more twists.
He’s been married four times and is the father of three daughters. Despite his history, things have remained surprisingly smooth—his current wife, Alexis Roderick, is on good terms with his ex-wives and even considers them friends.
Joel and Alexis share a significant age difference, but it’s never caused friction between them. In recent years, they’ve faced serious health challenges, yet they’ve continued to support each other through it all.
Alexis wasn’t immediately swept off her feet by the legendary singer, but as it turns out, fate had other plans.
From her family background to her career, here’s everything to know about Billy Joel’s wife, Alexis Roderick.
Billy Joel’s Wife Alexis Roderick: From Elite Equestrian to Morgan Stanley Executive
Roderick is an accomplished equestrian with a lifelong passion for horses. Raised around them from an early age, the celebrity spouse developed a deep bond with the sport and went on to compete in several high-level shows. She’s also an active member of the United States Equestrian Federation.
Following her retirement, Alexis remains committed to animal welfare and supports several organizations focused on the care and protection of horses and other wildlife.
She previously worked as an executive at Morgan Stanley, a prominent wealth management firm based in Garden City, New York.
Joel Bought Alexis a Horse Ranch
In early 2018, Joel made a big gesture for his wife’s passion by purchasing a five-acre horse ranch in Wellington, Florida—one of the country’s top equestrian hubs. Reports say the singer paid $3.5 million in cash for the property.
The estate includes a 12-stall barn with groom quarters, a tack room, five paddocks, and a full-size dressage ring fitted with mirrors. It’s a well-equipped space that reflects Alexis’s lifelong love for horses.
First Meeting: She Wasn’t Smitten Right Away
Joel and Roderick first crossed paths in 2009 at a restaurant in Huntington, New York.
They were seated separately with their own groups of friends when Joel approached her table and struck up a conversation. He got her number, and before the night ended, called her from across the room to ask for a ride home.
Alexis drove him to his home on Centre Island, but she wasn’t won over right away. She initially turned down his offer to play something on the piano, but Joel played anyway. He chose a classical piece by Rachmaninoff, a move inspired by The Seven Year Itch. That moment sparked the beginning of their relationship.
They Got Married in 2015
After six years together, Billy and his better half, Alexis, got married on July 4, 2015, in a surprise ceremony at Joel’s estate in Oyster Bay, Long Island.
The event took place during their annual Fourth of July celebration, where family and close friends had gathered expecting a party, but instead witnessed the couple say “I do.”
The intimate wedding included Joel’s daughter Alexa Ray from his previous marriage and actor Kevin James among the guests.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a longtime friend of Joel’s, officiated the ceremony.
At the time, Alexis was pregnant with their first child and wore a strapless ivory beaded gown. The reception featured a full seafood spread, including prawns, pearl oysters, and lobster.
Alexis Roderick Is the Mother of Two Kids
She has two daughters with her husband, Joel. Their first child, Della Rose Joel, was born on August 12, 2015, just one month after their surprise wedding.
They welcomed their second daughter, Remy Anne, on October 22, 2017.
Roderick has passed her love of horses down to her daughters, who are already learning to ride.
The girls have also been part of Joel’s musical world. They’ve joined him on stage at Madison Square Garden and even attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Tampa, Florida, in April 2023 with their parents. According to Joel, both Della and Remy are big fans of the “Cruel Summer” singer.
Joel and His Wife, Roderick’s Age Difference
The two have an age gap of about 33 years. Billy, born on May 9, 1949, is 76, while his life partner, Alexis—born on May 6, 1982—is currently 43.
Despite the age difference, it’s never caused any strain in their relationship. While Alexis isn’t very active on social media, she regularly appears alongside Billy at public events and family outings.
This isn’t the first time the artist has been in a relationship with a noticeable age gap.
He once dated Australian model Elle Macpherson, who was 19 when he was 33. Their height difference also turned heads—Macpherson stands 6 feet tall, while Joel is 5-foot-7. “I looked like Bubbles the Chimp next to her,” he joked in an interview with E! News.
What Is Her Ethnicity? Her Family Background
She is Irish-American, with Irish roots on her mother’s side. In a 2018 interview with the Belfast Telegraph, she shared, “I have Irish in me. It is my grandmother’s father who is Irish. My mom’s maiden name is Bridges.”
While she hasn’t spoken much about her parents publicly, this rare mention gave a small glimpse into her family heritage.
She’s Billy Joel’s Fourth Wife
Before marrying Alexis, Billy had already been married three times.
He first tied the knot with Elizabeth Weber Small in 1973. The marriage lasted until 1982.
For the second time, he married model Christie Brinkley in March 1985. Their daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, was born on December 29 that same year. However, his marital relationship with his second spouse also ended in divorce in August 1994.
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Billy got hitched for the third time on October 2, 2004, to chef and author Katie Lee. At the time, she was 23 and he was 55, making it his second-largest age gap relationship. The two separated in June 2009 after nearly five years together.
Despite three divorces, all of Joel’s past relationships appear to have ended on good terms. His current wife, Alexis, is said to have a friendly relationship with all of his ex-wives.
Alexis Roderick’s Net Worth
She has an estimated net worth of $5 million. Her husband, Billy Joel, has a much larger fortune—around $250 million.
The couple currently lives in Florida, where their daughters attend school. They also spend part of their time in New York.
