In her new memoir, “Uptown Girl,” supermodel Christie Brinkley, 71, is opening up about her nine-year marriage to music icon Billy Joel, 75, which lasted from 1985 to 1994.
Despite remaining friends and sharing a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, now 39, Brinkley reveals that Joel’s drinking was a major factor in their divorce.
While denying rumors of infidelity, Brinkley writes that alcohol became “his other woman.” In the book, she details how Joel’s drinking worsened as his career took off.
He would often leave family dinners to drink at nearby bars and sometimes wouldn’t return home for days.
Brinkley recounts instances of Joel’s erratic behavior while intoxicated, including throwing furniture and having delusional outbursts.
Brinkley explains that she “suffered through these incidents alone” because she feared that involving the police would create a media frenzy.
She describes trying everything to make their marriage work, constantly expressing her love and support.
However, she concluded that Joel’s “drinking was bigger than the both of us,” and it seemed he preferred alcohol over their relationship.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
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