billy joel first wife
Introduction
Billy Joel’s first wife is Elizabeth Ann Weber (also known as Elizabeth Weber Small), an American former talent manager who was married to him from 1973 to 1982. Billy Joel is the legendary “Piano Man” singer-songwriter behind hits like “Just the Way You Are” and “She’s Always a Woman” — many of which he wrote about Weber herself.
Their marriage began during one of the most dramatic chapters of Joel’s early career and ended after nine years, but their story stayed mostly private for over four decades. This article covers everything known about Elizabeth Weber: her background, her career as Joel’s manager, how their romance began, their marriage, and where she is today. If you’re searching for details on Billy Joel’s first wife, here’s the full, fact-checked story.
Who Is Elizabeth Weber?
Elizabeth Ann Weber grew up in New York and reportedly attended New York University. She has been described consistently as private, intelligent, and independent — traits that friends and Joel himself later credited with drawing him to her. Her exact date of birth and hometown have never been confirmed through reliable public records, so any specific figures circulating online should be treated with caution.
Before she was known as Billy Joel’s wife, Weber was married to Jon Small, a drummer who played alongside Joel in the bands The Hassles and later Attila. The couple had one son, Sean Small (sometimes credited as Sean Weber-Small), born around 1966–1967. Weber’s brother, Frank Weber, later became a significant figure in Billy Joel’s business affairs as well, eventually serving as his financial manager in the 1980s.
Weber largely avoided the public eye for most of her life, only breaking her silence decades later in the 2025 HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin.
Elizabeth Weber’s Career & Professional Life
Elizabeth Weber’s most notable professional role was as Billy Joel’s manager during a critical stretch of his career in the 1970s. She helped guide his business decisions as he transitioned from a struggling Long Island musician into a major recording artist, a period that included the release of albums like Piano Man, Streetlife Serenade, and Turnstiles.
As Joel’s fame grew, the pressures of the music industry — combined with his increasingly indulgent rock-star lifestyle — put a strain on both their marriage and their working relationship. Weber eventually stepped back from her management duties, a decision influenced partly by her discomfort with the drinking and drug use she witnessed on tour with Joel and his band.
Beyond her management work, Weber is known for inspiring several of Joel’s most enduring songs, including “She’s Got a Way,” “She’s Always a Woman,” “Just the Way You Are,” and songs on The Stranger. Because of songwriting royalty agreements from that era, reports indicate she has continued to earn income tied to some of these songs. No verified net worth figure for Elizabeth Weber has been publicly reported by credible financial sources.
How Did Billy Joel and Elizabeth Weber Meet?
Billy Joel and Elizabeth Weber first crossed paths in the late 1960s through Jon Small, Weber’s husband at the time and Joel’s bandmate in The Hassles. In 1969, for practical and financial reasons, Joel moved in with Small, Weber, and their young son, Sean — putting all three adults under one roof.
Living in close quarters, Joel and Weber grew closer, and an affair developed between them. Joel later admitted he had fallen in love with his best friend’s wife, calling it one of the most difficult and costly relationships of his life. When Weber’s relationship with Small ended, she initially left both men rather than stay with either.
This period devastated Joel emotionally. By his own account and confirmed by biographers, the fallout contributed to a severe depressive episode; Joel has said he was homeless for a time, sleeping in laundromats, and was hospitalized during a mental health crisis in the early 1970s. Eventually, Weber and Joel reconnected, and their relationship resumed as his music career began gaining traction with the release of Piano Man.
Marriage & Wedding Details
Billy Joel married Elizabeth Weber on September 5, 1973, the same year Columbia Records released his breakthrough album Piano Man. Detailed public information about the wedding ceremony itself — the venue, guest list, or specific vows — has never been widely documented or confirmed by Joel or Weber.
What is well established is the timing: their marriage coincided with Joel’s rise from a regional performer to a major recording artist. Weber took on the role of his manager not long after they married, meaning the early years of their marriage were also the years she helped shape his career, overseeing contracts and business decisions during the release of albums including The Stranger, 52nd Street, and Glass Houses.
Children & Family Life
Billy Joel and Elizabeth Weber did not have any biological children together during their marriage. However, Weber’s son from her first marriage to Jon Small, Sean Small, became part of Joel’s life as a stepson. Joel and Sean reportedly developed a close bond; Sean even appeared on the cover of Joel’s 1976 album Turnstiles alongside his stepfather.
After Weber and Joel’s 1982 divorce, both Weber and Sean stayed almost entirely out of the public eye for more than 40 years. Sean has said in recent interviews that he and Joel stayed in occasional contact over the decades, including exchanging emails. Weber’s brother, Frank Weber, remained connected to Joel’s professional world for years afterward through his role in managing Joel’s finances.
Elizabeth Weber on Social Media
Elizabeth Weber does not maintain a public social media presence. Given her decades-long avoidance of the spotlight, she has not used platforms like Instagram or Twitter/X to share updates, photos, or personal content. Her most recent public appearance came in 2025, when she attended the Tribeca Festival premiere of “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” alongside her son, Sean. Fans looking for updates on Weber generally rely on documentary appearances and rare interviews rather than social media.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Ann Weber (Weber Small) |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former talent/business manager |
| Married to | Billy Joel (1973–1982); previously Jon Small |
| Marriage Year | 1973 |
| Children | One son (Sean Small), from her first marriage |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Billy Joel’s first wife’s name? A: Billy Joel’s first wife is Elizabeth Ann Weber, also known as Elizabeth Weber Small. She was married to Joel from 1973 to 1982.
Q: How old is Elizabeth Weber? A: Elizabeth Weber’s exact age has not been publicly confirmed through verified records. She has largely stayed out of the public eye for decades.
Q: What does Elizabeth Weber do for a living? A: Elizabeth Weber worked as Billy Joel’s business manager during the 1970s, overseeing his career during his rise to fame. She has kept a low public profile since then.
Q: When did Billy Joel and Elizabeth Weber get married? A: Billy Joel and Elizabeth Weber married on September 5, 1973. They divorced in 1982 after nine years of marriage.
Q: How many kids do Billy Joel and Elizabeth Weber have? A: Billy Joel and Elizabeth Weber had no biological children together. Weber’s son, Sean Small, from her previous marriage, became Joel’s stepson.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Weber remains one of the most important yet private figures in Billy Joel’s life story. As his first wife and early manager, she played a direct role in shaping his rise from a struggling musician to a music icon, while also inspiring some of his most beloved songs. Though their marriage ended in 1982, her influence on Joel’s career and catalog is undeniable. Decades later, her rare public appearances — including her 2025 documentary interview — continue to shed new light on the story behind Billy Joel’s first wife and the years that shaped his music.
