Billy Joel Reflects on Marriage Breakdown After Near-Fatal Motorcycle Accident

Billy Joel, a legendary figure in the music industry, recently opened up about some profoundly painful moments from his past. In the new documentary titled “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” the 76-year-old artist reflects on the time when his first wife, Elizabeth Weber, walked away from their marriage following his life-threatening motorcycle accident.

In the documentary, Joel revealed his long-held fascination with motorcycles. “I always romanticized motorcycles. There’s something about it. I feel like I can be completely disconnected from the world. There’s a sense of freedom about that,” he shared. However, this passion led to tragic consequences.

Near-Fatal Accident

Joel’s love for motorcycles turned perilous in 1982 when he suffered multiple serious injuries after crashing his bike into a vehicle at an intersection. He acknowledged the severity of the accident, saying, “I was amazed I was still alive. I should have died in that accident. And I laid there in shock for a couple of minutes before I was taken to the hospital.” Joel sustained a broken arm, leg, and wrist, which necessitated a significant period of recovery.

The End of a Chapter

While Joel was recovering in the hospital, Elizabeth made the heart-wrenching decision to leave him. Reflecting on her choice, she noted, “I would’ve stayed, I would’ve been able — like so many women before me — to make that accommodation for someone you love, but there was no way that I could stand by and watch him kill himself.” She vividly recalled placing their house key on a tray in his hospital room, symbolizing her choice to leave their marriage.

During their last conversation in the hospital, Elizabeth expressed a poignant sentiment to Joel, saying, “You know, someday they may write about us and I hope that they say that we really did something.” Joel’s response was equally moving as he remarked, “I hope they could say we went all the way.” This exchange marked the end of their relationship, which lasted from 1973 until 1982.

Behind the Scenes of Their Marriage

Reflecting on his career during this tumultuous time, Joel stated, “After ‘Glass Houses’ came out, I was always on the road, working. Looking back on that guy, I don’t even know who he was. He had to be so ambitious to work that hard and work that much.”

Elizabeth elaborated on the strain in their relationship, admitting, “I wasn’t asking him to change, but I just did not want to live like that. I also knew that he wasn’t in a good place. We were all under a lot of stress.” This atmosphere contributed to significant issues, including substance abuse, which they both faced during their marriage.

Struggles with Mental Health

In addition to exploring the breakdown of his marriage, Joel used this documentary as an opportunity to address darker moments in his life, including two suicide attempts and a subsequent coma. At a young age, he became involved with a band named Attila, where his friendship with Jon Small—who was married to Elizabeth at the time—became complicated.

As Joel fell in love with Elizabeth, he was faced with immense guilt and depression. He confessed, “I felt very, very guilty about it. They had a child. I felt like a homewrecker.” This emotional turmoil eventually led to the collapse of both Joel’s personal and professional relationships.

A Descent into Darkness

Following these tragic events, Joel found himself homeless and struggling with severe depression. “I had no place to live. I was sleeping in laundromats, and I was depressed, I think to the point of almost being psychotic,” he revealed. Feeling overwhelmed by his circumstances, he considered ending his life.

During this period, Joel’s sister played a pivotal role in his life. She worked as a medical assistant and, in her efforts to help him, provided him with sleeping pills. Tragically, Joel decided to take all of them, resulting in a coma that lasted for days. His sister recalled, “I thought that I’d killed him” when she saw him in the hospital, pale and unresponsive.

Surviving Against the Odds

Notably, Joel’s second suicide attempt involved ingesting furniture polish. Miraculously, he survived both attempts thanks to Small, who rushed him to the hospital. Reflecting on this life-saving intervention, he acknowledged, “Even though our friendship was blowing up, Jon saved my life.”

Moving Forward

Joel’s story is not just about heartbreak and loss; it also demonstrates resilience and the capacity to recover from unimaginable challenges. His willingness to share these experiences in the documentary marks an important step toward understanding mental health and the complex nature of relationships.

As he recounts these chapters of his life, Joel emphasizes the necessity of addressing emotional struggles openly. He remains a vital part of the music landscape, proving that even after facing the depths of despair, one can rise again. This documentary not only captures Joel’s journey but also serves as an opportunity for viewers to reflect on their experiences and challenges.

Through his candid storytelling, Billy Joel encourages us to confront our challenges and propel ourselves toward hope and healing.