| Real Name: | William Martin Joel |
| Birthday: | May 9, 1949 |
| Net Worth: | $250 million |
| Height: | 166 cm |
| Occupation: | American musician, singer-songwriter, and composer |
William Martin Joel is an American singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist. Many people know him by the nickname Piano Man. He got it after his first major hit and signature song. Billy Joel released 12 studio albums since his debut in the 1970s. His last album was in 2001. Despite not releasing an album for many years, he is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. So, how much is Billy Joel’s net worth?
Net Worth
Billy Joel is the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States. He has more than 150 million record sales worldwide.
Born in Bronx, New York, Joel grew up on Long Island. He used both places as an influence in his music. He took piano lessons at the insistence of his mother.
Many of his earnings nowadays come from concert series, ticket sales, and merchandise sales. From June 2016 to June 2017 alone, he made $35 million from concerts alone.
As of April 2021, Billy Joel net worth is more than $250 million. His famous songs Piano Man and Just the Way You Are show his signature melodious voice and beautiful music. His lyrics melt hearts and enchant millions across the globe.
Career
Billy Joel started playing the piano in bars at the age of 14. He did it to bring in money for his single mother and his sister. He couldn’t complete his graduation and decided to make music his career.
He said that he and his mom had a tough time and struggled to make ends meet. There were few good-paying jobs for women. Contrary to popular belief, he did not drop out of high school. He went through 12th grade but didn’t show up for classes because he was working at night. At the end of his senior year, his high school said he doesn’t have enough credits. So, instead of going to Columbia University, he went to Columbia Records.
His first music inspiration were the Beatles. He saw their performance on the Ed Sullivan Show and decided to make a career in music.
He began piano lessons early in his life. As a young kid, he joined The Echoes group as a pianist. But he got fired because he refused to wear the same jacket like other members. He signed with Family Productions afterward and released his first single album, Cold Spring Harbor.
His second album was The Piano Man. This album contains the single biggest hit, Piano Man. This album helped him gain a lot of popularity. He released Piano Man in 1973.
In 1977, Billy Joel released the album The Stranger. This album contains Just The Way You Are, another classic hit. It played everywhere on the radio. Since then, Billy Joel is an international star.
Despite not earning an album in several years, he still earns money thanks to his touring. Between 2014 and 2018, h grossed $130 million from his concert residency at New York City Madison Square Garden.
You can say he doesn’t need to generate new music to make money. In his own words, people come to his concerts because his lyrics contain acknowledgment he is a screw-up. He says he is a human and lost as the rest of us.
Awards and Achievements
Billy Joel released 13 albums in total. He continues to go touring and play on concerts around the world. He is a six-time Grammy award winner. Plus, he has a total of 23 Grammy nominations.
In 2004, Billy Joel got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2011, he got a portrait in the Steinway Hall. Joel is the first non-classical musician to have a portrait in the hall.
Side Projects
Legendary musician Billy Joel entertained millions for more than four decades. He is still one of the best musicians you can hear. He continues to perform in front of sell-out crowds.
But like many musicians, he has other side projects and interests. Joel earns money from mother businesses and ventures.
In 1996, he found a second career and used his love of boating. He formed the Long Island Boat Company with boating businessman Peter Needham.
Then, in 2010, he opened a shop in Oyster Bay, Long Island, to manufacture custom-made and retro-styled motorcycles and accessories.
In 2011, he announced he will release an autobiography with Fred Schruers. But he canceled his deal with HarperCollins in the same year. In 2014, Shruers eventually published the biography titled Billy Joel. It contained extensive personal interviews with Joel.
Personal Life and Relationships
Billy Joel got married four times. He is now with his fourth wife, Alexis Roderick. They got married in 2009. Together, they have two daughters.
His first wife was Elizabeth Weber Small. At the time, Elizbeth and Joe Small were in a marriage. When the affair got public, she was in a relationship with both Joe Small and Billy Joel.
His second marriage was to model Christie Brinkley. He has a daughter with her, Alexa Ray Joel. For his third marriage, he picked chef Katie Lee. She was 23 at the time, and Joel 55.
On July 4, 2015, Billy got married to his fourth wife, Alexis Roderick. She is an equestrian and former Morgan Stanley executive. They were together since 2009 but got married in 2015. They had their first daughter, Della Rose Joel in 2015. Remy Anne Joel, their second daughter came to this world in 2017.
