Billy Joel, the legendary singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer, has captivated audiences for decades with his timeless music. While his career has been marked by remarkable success, Joel has also faced health challenges, including a recent diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). This article delves into Joel's health journey, exploring his diagnosis, past health struggles, and lifestyle choices, including his diet and weight loss experiences.
Introduction
Billy Joel is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 150 million records sold worldwide. He has won six Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. Throughout his career, Joel has remained candid about his health and the challenges he has faced.
Recent Health Concerns: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
In May 2025, Billy Joel announced the cancellation of all upcoming concerts following a recent diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). According to the Cleveland Clinic, NPH is a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain. This condition is common in those 65 and older, treatable, and sometimes reversible.
Symptoms of NPH
The symptoms of NPH often resemble those of certain types of dementia or Parkinson's. Subtle signs of NPH include:
- Shuffling, unsteady gait
- Bladder incontinence
- Memory problems
Causes and Treatment of NPH
Experts are unsure what causes NPH, though doctors sometimes observe a former brain injury, such as a concussion, or a blockage that causes the fluid to build up. Treatment typically includes surgery to drain the fluid from the brain.
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Joel's team stated that his condition had been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance. He is currently undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.
Joel's Perspective on His Diagnosis
On Bill Maher’s podcast, Club Random with Bill Maher, Joel opened up about being diagnosed with NPH, saying, “It’s not fixed, it’s still being worked on.” He continued, “My balance sucks. It’s like being on a boat.” Still, Joel said, “I feel good. They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling.”
Past Health Setbacks
Postponed Tour for Surgery
In March 2025, Joel's team announced that the singer would be postponing his shows but didn’t specify what medical condition Joel is dealing with or if it's related to his NPH diagnosis. The statement did mention, however, that it would involve surgery and physical therapy after that.
Viral Infection
In 2022, Joel was forced to postpone one of his shows as part of his Madison Square Garden residency because of a viral infection.
Weight Loss Following Back Surgery
During his first show after the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, Joel reemerged with a slimmer physique. He’d lost about 50 pounds, which he explained on Howard Stern’s radio show was the result of intense pain following back surgery. “I had back surgery early this year, and the pain afterwards was so bad I lost my appetite,” he told Stern. “I embraced that. I said, ‘OK, I won’t eat as much,’ and I ate less and less and less and less and then there was just life aggravation, and that tends to, you know, impact your appetite too.” He welcomed the weight loss, saying, “I had gotten kind of chunky. I was happy to lose the weight.”
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Mental Health Struggles
In a 1990 interview with Parade magazine, Joel revealed that he tried to kill himself twice in his 20s. “I felt the last thing the world needed was another failed itinerant musician,” Joel said. He checked into the hospital, which he described as "the best thing I ever did."
Treatment for Alcohol Use
Joel checked into a rehab center in 2005 “for treatment of alcohol abuse,” his spokeswoman said at the time. This stay came three years after Joel sought treatment at another facility in Connecticut that specializes in substance use and psychiatric care in 2002.
Billy Joel's Diet and Lifestyle
While specific details about Billy Joel's daily diet are not widely available, there are some insights into his eating habits and lifestyle choices.
Healthy Diet and Exercise
Billy Joel has always been a relatively healthy individual. He does not smoke or drink alcohol, and he eats a healthy diet. He also exercises regularly. He has never been known to live an unhealthy lifestyle.
Impact of Music on Health
Music has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reducing stress, improving mood, and boosting the immune system. Billy Joel's occupation as a musician has likely helped to keep him healthy.
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Pasta and Sunday Sauce
Joel has mentioned his love for pasta. “Pasta is my downfall. I love to eat,” he said. “On a Sunday, I make a big Sunday sauce, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic.”
Weight Management
Joel has battled the bulge before. He showed up to his first post-pandemic performance showing off a 50 pound weight loss, which was kicked off when he lost his appetite after having back surgery.
The Role of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, is a clear, colorless liquid that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and function of your central nervous system. It protects the brain and spinal cord from injury by absorbing shocks. Suspending the brain in this fluid reduces its effective weight and prevents it from being crushed under its own mass. If the production, circulation, or absorption of cerebrospinal fluid is disrupted, it can lead to significant health issues.
CSF Leaks
The dura can be damaged from head injuries or punctured during surgical procedures involving the sinuses, brain, or spine, such as lumbar puncture, epidurals, spinal anesthesia, or myelogram. Most people with a CSF leak have a positional headache that improves when lying down and worsens when standing. Conservative treatment for a CSF leak involves rest, lying flat, and increasing your fluid intake to give your spine time to heal the puncture.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a disorder involving an excess of CSF that elevates pressure inside the skull and compresses the brain. Treatment options include weight loss, dietary changes, and medications to reduce CSF production.
Addressing Misconceptions
Debunking Stroke Rumors
Billy Joel has never had a stroke. There is no evidence to suggest that he has ever had a stroke or any other serious health condition.
Clearing Up DUI Rumors
In HBO's two-part documentary, "Billy Joel: And So It Goes," the "Piano Man" addresses speculation that he has racked up multiple DUIs over the years, stating emphatically that he never had a DUI.
Support from Family and Friends
As Joel navigates his brain condition, one familiar face from his past is quietly standing by him: his first wife, Elizabeth Weber. While the two ended their nearly decade-long marriage in 1982, Weber says her support remains strong.
On Father's Day, Joel's wife, Alexis Roderick, honored the singer on his Instagram account with a series of photos. "This Father’s Day is extra special. We are always grateful and thankful but this year really reminded us how lucky we are to have you," Roderick wrote. "We are so blessed to have such a strong, determined man in our lives. You are a wonderful support for us and we only hope we can be the same for you. We love you and know you will be rocking out next year."
Recently, Joel’s friend Howard Stern shared an update about the singer’s health on “The Howard Stern Show.” On June 3, 2025, Stern said he’d had dinner with Joel the week prior and said Joel is “doing fine.”“He does have issues, but he said, ‘Yeah, you can tell people I’m not dying,’” Stern added. “He wants people to know that. He’s just go to deal with some medical stuff.”