Billy Joel Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Billy Joel Net Worth (Money & Salary)
September 29, 2024
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Billy Joel’s partnership with Small ended swiftly in July 1970, after an album release, due to Joel’s involvement with Small’s wife, Elizabeth. His solo career kicked off in 1971 with the signing to Family Productions, leading to the release of his first solo album “Cold Spring Harbor” in 1971. Though not a commercial success, it caught the attention of Columbia Records, resulting in a signing in 1972. Under Columbia, Joel released several albums including “Piano Man” (1973), “Streetlife Serenade” (1974), and “Turnstiles” (1976), before achieving mainstream success with his fourth solo album “The Stranger” in 1977. Over 10 million copies of “The Stranger” were sold, featuring hit songs like “Just the Way You Are,” “Only the Good Die Young,” and “She’s Always a Woman.” Joel’s discography also includes albums such as “52nd Street” (1978), “Glass Houses” (1980), “The Nylon Curtain” (1982), and “An Innocent Man” (1983).

Billy Joel’s global record sales have exceeded 150 million, establishing him as one of the top-selling artists in history. With 23 Grammy nominations and six wins, he is a member of the Songwriter Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Joel retired from active recording in 1993 but released the album “Fantasies & Delusions” in 2001, a departure from his usual style, consisting of classical piano compositions performed by pianist Richard Hyung-ki Joo.

Touring intermittently, Joel has performed solo and with artists like Elton John. His monthly shows at Madison Square Garden, ongoing since 2014, reached its 72nd consecutive show on January 25, 2020. His compilation album “Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2” (1985) became one of the bestselling albums in the US. In 2013, he was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors. Joel announced that his Madison Square Garden residency would conclude in July 2024 with his 100th performance, marking his 150th show at the venue.

In 1989, Joel filed a $90 million lawsuit against his former manager, Frank Weber, for alleged mishandling of $30 million of his funds. Following a subsequent bankruptcy by Weber, Joel sued his accountants and lawyers, leading to an $8 million settlement. Joel published his autobiography “The Book of Joel: A Memoir” in 2011, collaborated on it with Fred Schruers. Additionally, Joel owns the Long Island Boat Company and a shop in Oyster Bay, Long Island, focusing on crafting custom retro-styled motorcycles. The biography “Billy Joel,” based on personal interviews with Schruers, was released in 2014.

In his personal life, Joel’s relationship with Elizabeth Weber Small, which began as an affair while she was married to Jon Small, one of Joel’s musical collaborators, culminated in marriage in 1973.In 1982, they went through a divorce. Billy almost became bankrupt due to the loss of about $30 million in mishandled funds by Elizabeth’s brother Frank, AS WELL AS a multi-million dollar divorce settlement, when the marriage ended.

As he ventured into his second marriage with American model Christie Brinkley, his financial situation was precarious. He embarked on frequent tours to raise funds, leading to significant discord and accusations of infidelity. Their marriage lasted from 1985 to 1994, resulting in a daughter named Alexa Ray Joel. His third marriage was to chef Katie Lee from 2004 to 2009. Billy Joel is currently married to his fourth wife, Alexis Roderick. They tied the knot in 2015, but their relationship began in 2009. The couple shares two daughters, Della Rose Joel and Remy Anne Joel.

Billy Joel did not obtain his high school diploma in 1967 due to insufficient credits. However, 25 years later, he submitted essays to the Hicksville High School board to fulfill the missing requirements and was granted his diploma during the 1992 graduation ceremony. Over the years, he has received several honorary doctorates from institutions such as Fairfield University, Berklee College of Music, Syracuse University, the Manhattan School of Music, and Stony Brook University.

Real Estate

Over the years, Billy Joel has traded various remarkable properties across the country, particularly in Florida and Long Island, New York. He has sold homes to notable personalities like singer Sting, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, and retail executive Mickey Drexler, playfully dubbing himself the “realtor to the stars.”

In 2002, Billy acquired a mansion named Middlesea for $22.5 million, situated on 14 acres on Centre Island in Oyster Bay, New York. He later expanded the estate to 26 acres through additional acquisitions. At the time of purchase, the original property encompassed a 14,000-square-foot mansion, which Billy enlarged to 20,000 square feet. The estate boasts amenities like a helipad, a beach house, and two pools. In May 2023, Billy listed the estate for sale at $49 million. He also owns a property in Sag Harbor, New York. Here’s a video tour of the listed home:

In 2014, Billy acquired two neighboring properties covering 4 acres in Manalapan, Florida, for just under $12 million. While one lot was undeveloped, the other featured an almost 9,000-square-foot mansion. He initially listed the combined compound for sale at $29 million in 2015. The mansion was separately offered (minus the undeveloped lot) for $19.5 million. In January 2020, he accepted an offer of $10.3 million for the property, excluding the undeveloped lot, accounting for around three quarters of the total acreage.

In January 2015, Billy purchased another estate in Manalapan for $22.495 million, boasting a 13,000-square-foot mansion overlooking the waterfront. He put this estate up for sale in January 2024 for $55 million, later reducing the price to $50 million in March 2024.

In 2006, Billy acquired a New York City townhouse for $5.9 million. Following his divorce from Katie Lee, she received this property. In 2011, she sold it for $12.9 million.