When Billy Joel walked into a restaurant in Huntington, New York, back in 2009, he wasn’t looking for a fourth wife. He was just looking for dinner. But then he saw Alexis Roderick. Honestly, the way he tells it, he couldn’t even take his eyes off her. He did the whole "famous guy" move—went over, introduced himself, and walked away with her number.
He actually called her from across the restaurant while they were both still sitting at their separate tables. Talk about a bold move.
The "Piano Man" asked for a ride home. She said sure. When they got to his place, he offered to play her something on the piano as a thank you. You’d think most people would jump at a private concert from a legend, right? Not Alexis. She turned him down. She basically wasn't impressed with the whole "Billy Joel" thing.
And that’s exactly what hooked him.
The Surprise Fourth of July
Fast forward six years to July 4, 2015. Friends and family are gathered at Billy’s massive Oyster Bay estate on Long Island. Everyone thinks they’re just there for the annual holiday party—hot dogs, fireworks, the usual.
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Then, surprise.
Andrew Cuomo, the former Governor of New York and a long-time friend of Billy, steps up to officiate. Billy and Alexis traded vows right there in front of a shocked crowd. Alexis was actually pregnant with their first daughter, Della Rose, at the time. She wore this stunning ivory beaded gown, and even Billy’s second wife, Christie Brinkley, was there to cheer them on.
It’s kinda rare to see an ex-wife that supportive, but the Joel-Brinkley-Roderick dynamic is famously chill. Christie even posted on Instagram afterward, calling Alexis a "wonderful friend" to her daughter, Alexa Ray.
Who is Alexis Roderick, anyway?
Before she was "Mrs. Joel," Alexis was a powerhouse in her own right. She wasn’t some groupie; she was a senior risk manager at Morgan Stanley. She’d also logged time at Merrill Lynch. Basically, she knows her way around a balance sheet just as well as Billy knows his way around a B-flat.
She eventually left the Wall Street grind to focus on her other passion: horses.
She’s a serious equestrian. We’re talking competitive level, United States Equestrian Federation member status. Billy actually bought her a five-acre horse ranch in Wellington, Florida, for about $3.5 million back in 2018. It’s got everything—a 12-stall barn, a dressage ring with mirrors, and five paddocks.
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It’s not just a hobby. It’s a lifestyle.
The Age Gap and the Critics
You can’t talk about Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick without mentioning the 33-year age difference. People love to talk. When they got married, he was 66 and she was 33. Some critics poked fun, calling it a "classic rockstar move."
But they’ve been together since 2009. That’s over 16 years. In Hollywood years, that’s basically a century.
They’ve built a life that’s surprisingly quiet. They have two daughters now: Della Rose (born in 2015) and Remy Anne (born in 2017). You’ve probably seen the girls if you caught any of Billy’s final residency shows at Madison Square Garden. Della is a total natural on stage—she’s been singing "Don't Ask Me Why" with her dad since she was a toddler.
Supporting Him Through the Tough Stuff
Life hasn't been all sold-out shows and Florida ranches lately. In June 2025, the news broke that Billy had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) after he had a fall on stage. It was a scary moment for fans.
Alexis was the one who stepped up to handle the public side of it. She shared a message on Instagram thanking everyone for the love and mentioned how "Bill" is the center of their world. She’s been the backbone of his recovery.
It changed their pace. Billy famously told Billboard that he became a "homey" because of this marriage. He realized that being gone on tour for months isn't good for a relationship, especially with young kids at home.
What Most People Get Wrong
People assume Alexis is just "the wife of a rockstar." They see the red carpet photos from the 2024 Grammys—where the whole family looked incredible in matching black outfits—and they think it’s all glitz.
But if you look at their life in Centre Island, it’s much more "suburban dad" than "stadium legend."
- She didn't marry him for the fame: She literally rejected his piano playing on the first night.
- She isn't just a stay-at-home mom: She manages a professional-grade equestrian operation.
- The "blended family" thing actually works: She and Alexa Ray (Billy’s daughter with Christie Brinkley) are genuinely close.
There’s a reason he dedicated "This Is the Time" to her during his 150th MSG show. He’s been through the ringer with three previous marriages, but with Alexis, it feels like he finally found the rhythm he was looking for.
Putting it into Perspective
If you’re looking at their story as a template for a long-term relationship, there are a few takeaways that actually matter. It’s not about the money or the fame; it’s about the fact that they were friends for a long time before they ever walked down that surprise aisle.
If you want to keep up with how the family is doing, your best bet is following the rare updates Billy shares on his official social channels. He’s protective of their privacy, which is probably why they’ve lasted this long. You won’t find them on a reality show, and that’s exactly how they like it.
Keep an eye on the equestrian circuit in Wellington if you’re a horse fan—you’re more likely to spot Alexis there than at a Hollywood party. For Billy fans, the focus remains on his health recovery and those occasional, special appearances where he gets to be a dad first and a "Piano Man" second.