Christie Brinkley says her ex-husband Billy Joel is on the mend, nearly a year after he was diagnosed with the rare brain disease normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
The model said Hello! Tuesday magazine: “He’s doing very well.”
This disorder occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the skull and presses on the brain, impairing cognitive function.
In addition to the support of Brinkley, 72, who was married to a musician from 1985 to 1994, and daughters Alexa, 40, and Joelle, 76, his wife Alexis Roderick, 43, and daughters Della Rose, 10, and Remy, 8, will also be by his side.
Last month, Alexa honored her father at Carnegie Hall’s “The Music of Billy Joel” memorial event.
According to Brinkley, she sang “This Night” at the concert and couldn’t have asked for a better song.
“She was so excited to perform for him,” the Hello! cover star told Hello! “I’m sorry I had to miss that night.”
Brinkley added, “I wasn’t out of town, but other than that it was great.”
Hours before Joel received the honor, Alexa gave her own update on the “Uptown Girl” singer.
“He has regular physical therapy and is doing very well,” she told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. “He has lost weight because he is on a diet.”
Alexa continued, “I’m so proud of him. He’s so brave, resilient, and committed to being healthy and active. He’s a fighter. He’s always been a fighter, and he talks in the documentary about how life is like a battle.”
Joel first revealed his shocking NPH diagnosis in May 2025, forcing him to cancel a series of tour performances.
His condition worsened due to concert performances at the time, “causing problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” his lengthy announcement on Instagram said.
Doctors ordered the Grammy winner to “refrain from performing during this recovery period.”
He then released a statement in July 2025, reassuring fans that he remains healthy and positive.
“It was scary, but I’m okay,” Joel admitted to People at the time. “I just wanted to let people know. I don’t have to worry about a deadly disease or anything like that.”
“I’m doing my best to deal with this issue and recover,” he added.
Most recently, the “Movin’ Out” crooner surprised fans with his first performance since revealing his battle with NPH brain disorder.
Back in January, Joel took to the stage with a cane at the 30th anniversary celebration in Wellington, Florida.
He was joined by his wife and two daughters to perform his hits “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot.”
Joel teased: “I wasn’t planning on working tonight!”
