Billy Joel Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Billy Joel’s Wealth?

Billy Joel, the American vocalist and lyricist, boasts a net worth of $250 million. Recognized as one of the most successful music artists ever, he has sold over 160 million records globally. His career saw its peak during the 1970s and ’80s, a period marked by a series of hit albums and singles that have now become iconic.

Renowned for his storytelling prowess and talent for crafting memorable, melodic pop tunes, Joel’s notable albums include “The Stranger” (1977), containing hits such as “Just the Way You Are,” “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song),” and “Only the Good Die Young.” His album “52nd Street” (1978), Grammy winner for Album of the Year, featured the popular single “My Life.” Adding to his success, “Glass Houses” (1980) featured the number one hit “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” with “An Innocent Man” (1983) honoring various 1950s and ’60s music styles.

One of his most cherished songs, “Piano Man,” from the eponymous 1973 album, is often considered his signature piece, showcasing Joel’s knack for weaving relatable stories into captivating music.

Earnings of Billy Joel

Between June 2017 and June 2018, Billy Joel amassed a sum of $45 million. During the subsequent two-year period ending in 2019, his earnings grew to $50 million.

Engaging in residencies, like his multi-year stint at Madison Square Garden, Joel can earn a substantial $2-3 million per show. His New Year’s Eve 2019 performance alone grossed $4.6 million. From the inception of the MSG residency in 2014 until the end of 2019, Joel raked in $150 million.

Earnings from MSG Residency

Concluding a decade-long run in July 2024, Billy Joel’s monthly residency at Madison Square Garden comprised 104 concerts attended by two million fans, generating $260 million purely from ticket sales.

Early Years

William Martin Joel was born on May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York City. His father, a German-born classical pianist and entrepreneur, and his mother, hailing from Kent, England, met in the late 1930s. The family relocated to Hicksville, Long Island, where Joel grew up alongside his younger sister, Judy. After his parents’ 1957 divorce and his father’s subsequent return to Europe, Joel’s musical journey began with piano lessons at the age of four.

Enamored by classical music, Joel’s early musical inclinations led him to join his first band, The Echoes, at just 14. Leaving Hicksville High School without graduating, he opted for a full-time music career instead of completing his studies.

Professional Life

In 1967, Joel departed from The Echoes (renamed the Lost Souls) and teamed up with the Hassles. After a brief stint in the duo Attila, Joel embarked on a solo career in 1971, releasing “Cold Spring Harbor” (1971) with Columbia Records. It was his fourth album, “The Stranger” (1977), that catapulted him to mainstream acclaim with hits like “Just the Way You Are,” “Only the Good Die Young,” and “She’s Always a Woman.” With over 150 million records sold globally, Joel garnered 23 Grammy nominations, winning six and securing places in the Songwriter Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Although Joel ceased recording new songs in 1993, he did release the classical piano album “Fantasies & Delusions” in 2001. Notable for his sporadic tours and the successful MSG residency, Joel continues to captivate audiences, solidifying his status as one of the best-selling artists in history.

Joel announced the conclusion of his MSG residency with the 100th performance in July 2024, marking his 150th lifetime show at the venue.

Lawsuit Against Business Manager

In 1989, Joel filed a $90 million lawsuit against his former manager, Frank Weber, alleging mismanagement of $30 million and seeking $60 million in damages. Actions against his accountants and lawyers resulted in an $8 million settlement.

Additional Ventures

Detailing his life in “The Book of Joel: A Memoir” (2011), Joel diversified into the Long Island Boat Company and custom retro motorcycles in Oyster Bay, Long Island.

Personal Background

In 1973, Joel married Elizabeth Weber Small, after a relationship that originated as an affair during her marriage to Jon Small, Joel’s musical collaborator.

In 1982, Billy Joel got divorced. The mismanagement of around $30 million in funds by Elizabeth’s brother Frank, coupled with a multi-million dollar divorce settlement, nearly left Billy broke after the marriage ended.

Heading into his second marriage with American model Christie Brinkley, he was financially unstable and had to tour frequently to generate funds, leading to rifts and infidelity allegations. They were married from 1985 to 1994 and share a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel. Billy’s third marriage was to chef Katie Lee from 2004 to 2009. His current wife is Alexis Roderick, whom he married in 2015 after being together since 2009. Together, they have two daughters, Della Rose Joel and Remy Anne Joel.

Billy Joel did not receive his high school diploma in 1967 due to insufficient credits. However, 25 years later, he made up for the missing credits by submitting essays to the school board of Hicksville High School and was awarded his diploma during the school’s graduation ceremony in 1992. He has also received several honorary doctorates from institutions such as Fairfield University, Berklee College of Music, Syracuse University, the Manhattan School of Music, and Stony Brook University.

Real Estate

Over the years, Billy Joel has purchased and sold impressive properties across the country, notably in Florida and Long Island, New York. He humorously refers to himself as the “realtor to the stars” after selling homes to singer Sting, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, and retail executive Mickey Drexler.

One of his notable acquisitions was the mansion Middlesea, set on 14 acres on Centre Island in Oyster Bay, New York, which he purchased for $22.5 million in 2002 and later expanded to 26 acres. The property, now at 20,000 square feet, includes a helipad, a beach house, and two pools. In May 2023, Billy listed the estate for sale at $49 million. He also owns a property in Sag Harbor, New York.

In 2014, Billy acquired side-by-side properties covering 4 acres in Manalapan, Florida, for just under $12 million. He later listed the combined compound for sale in 2015 for $29 million, selling it for $10.3 million in January 2020. In January 2015, he purchased another Manalapan estate – a 13,000-square-foot waterfront mansion – for $22.495 million and listed it for sale in 2024 for $55 million, which he later reduced to $50 million in March 2024.

Furthermore, in 2006, Billy bought a New York City townhouse for $5.9 million, which he gave to his ex-wife Katie Lee in their divorce. She sold it for $12.9 million in 2011.