The Full Story of Elizabeth Ann Weber: Billy Joel’s Mysterious First Wife

When people think of Billy Joel, they often remember his music, his piano skills, and his hit songs like Piano Man and Just the Way You Are. But behind those songs was a woman named Elizabeth Ann Weber. She was not only Billy Joel’s first wife but also a big part of his early music success.

Elizabeth Weber is a name that many fans have heard, but very few really know much about her. She stayed out of the spotlight for many years. Yet, she inspired some of Billy Joel’s most famous songs and played a huge role in his personal and professional life.

In this article, we’ll explore the full story of Elizabeth Ann Weber, her life, her love story with Billy Joel, the ups and downs of their marriage, and where she is now.

Elizabeth Ann Weber Quick Bio

Elizabeth Ann Weber’s Early Life

Elizabeth Ann Weber was born in 1942 in New York, USA. That makes her 83 years old as of 2025. Not much is known about her early childhood because she has always liked to keep her personal life private.

She went to a private high school and later attended New York University, where she likely learned the strong business and management skills she used later in life. Even before becoming famous through her relationship with Billy Joel, Elizabeth was smart, sharp, and very confident.

She wasn’t the type of person who wanted to be famous. She lived quietly and stayed away from the spotlight, even during her marriage to one of the biggest music stars of the time.

Elizabeth Ann Weber’s First Marriage

Before she ever met Billy Joel as a partner, Elizabeth was married to a man named Jon Small. Jon was a musician and Billy Joel’s best friend and bandmate in a group called The Hassles.

Elizabeth and Jon Small had a son together, named Sean Small (also known as Sean Weber-Small). The three of them lived together in New York and were part of a close music circle. In fact, Billy Joel even moved in with them for a while.

But what happened next would change all of their lives forever.

How Billy Joel Met Elizabeth Weber

Billy Joel first met Elizabeth when she was still married to Jon Small. They were all working together in music. In 1969, after leaving The Hassles, Billy and Jon formed a new band called Attila — just the two of them.

That same year, Billy moved in with Jon and Elizabeth. During this time, Billy and Elizabeth started spending a lot of time together. He later shared that she was very different from other women he knew — she was smart, mysterious, and not afraid to speak her mind.

In his own words, Billy once said she was “almost like a European-type… not a typical American girl.”

While living with Jon and Elizabeth, Billy fell deeply in love with her. And eventually, Elizabeth felt the same way. They started a secret relationship, even though she was still married to Jon.

Jon found out about the affair, and everything fell apart. The band Attila broke up. Jon and Elizabeth divorced. Billy and Jon’s friendship ended, too. It was a scandal that shook everyone around them.

Even worse, Elizabeth left both men after the truth came out. She disappeared for a while, leaving Billy heartbroken and alone.

Billy Joel’s Depression and Suicide Attempts

The affair and its fallout hit Billy Joel very hard. He blamed himself for ruining his friendship, the band, and his family. He was also struggling with his music career at the time, as his early albums weren’t doing well.

During this dark period, Billy tried to take his own life twice. He became depressed and began drinking heavily. After the second attempt, Jon Small — the man he had betrayed — actually took Billy to the hospital and saved him.

Later, Billy said that he felt “very, very guilty” because Elizabeth and Jon had a child. He said, “I felt like a home wrecker.”

But his time in the hospital made him think differently. He began to use his emotions and pain to write music. That moment became a turning point in his life.

Marriage of Billy Joel and Elizabeth Ann Weber

After some time apart, Billy and Elizabeth reconnected. Their love story wasn’t over yet. They decided to try again, and in September 1973, they got married.

This time, things were more serious. Elizabeth wasn’t just his wife — she became his manager, helping guide his music career. Billy also became a stepfather to her son Sean, although Sean later said that Billy was more like a fun “uncle” than a strict parent.

During this time, Billy Joel started becoming famous. His music was improving, and people were noticing him. And much of that early success happened with Elizabeth by his side.

Elizabeth Weber’s Role in Billy Joel’s Career

As Billy’s manager, Elizabeth Ann Weber played a big role behind the scenes. She helped him sign better deals and took care of business matters. Some people saw her as smart and strong — someone who knew how to protect Billy’s career.

She also brought her brother, Frank Weber, into the team to manage Billy’s finances. At first, this seemed like a good idea. The team was growing, and Billy’s music was finally getting the attention it deserved.

But not everything was perfect behind the scenes. There were money issues, tensions, and trust problems that would later explode — both in business and in marriage.

Songs Billy Joel Wrote About Elizabeth Ann Weber

Many fans don’t realize how much Elizabeth Ann Weber influenced Billy Joel’s music. She was more than just his wife — she was his muse.

Several of his most loved songs were written with her in mind. For example, “Just the Way You Are” was written as a birthday gift for Elizabeth. At first, Billy didn’t think it was good enough to release. But she told him it was beautiful and pushed him to include it on his album. The song later won two Grammy Awards and became one of his biggest hits.

Other songs inspired by Elizabeth include:

• “She’s Got a Way” – about the charm he saw in her early on.

• “She’s Always a Woman” – describing a strong woman who could be both sweet and sharp.

• “The Stranger,” “Big Shot,” and “Until the Night” – believed to reflect the ups and downs in their relationship.

Even her son, Sean Small, said he could tell from the lyrics how much Billy was in love with Elizabeth.

Trouble in the Marriage and the 1982 Divorce

Despite their success, things started to fall apart. Their personal and business lives got mixed up. Elizabeth Ann Weber had a strong personality, and some felt she was too controlling.

Their money issues added more stress. At one point, Billy got into a motorcycle accident and hurt his hands badly. While he was recovering in the hospital, Elizabeth brought papers for him to sign — papers that would give her control over much of his property. Billy said that moment was the breaking point. He felt betrayed.

The couple officially divorced in 1982, after nine years of marriage. Billy tried to save the relationship by giving her things, including a $4 million townhouse in New York. But it didn’t work. Their love story came to an end, and Elizabeth walked away — staying quiet for years.

The Frank Weber Financial Scandal

The problems didn’t stop with the divorce. A few years later, Billy Joel discovered that Frank Weber, Elizabeth’s brother and his former manager, had stolen millions of dollars from him.

Billy was shocked. In 1989, he filed a lawsuit asking for $90 million in damages. He claimed that Frank had used Billy’s money for personal loans and shady investments.

The case never went to trial. Frank Weber filed for bankruptcy, and Billy ended up settling out of court. Reports say he recovered about $3 million. Even though Frank had sided with Billy during the divorce, this betrayal cut deep.

Where Is Elizabeth Ann Weber Now?

After the divorce, Elizabeth Ann Weber disappeared from public life. For many years, there were no interviews, no photos, and no updates. She sold the townhouse in 1997 and quietly moved on.

People wondered: Where is she now? What happened to the woman who helped shape Billy Joel’s early career? The truth is, she chose to stay private. She focused on her own life, away from the media and fans.

Even her son Sean has said that they stayed quiet for a long time — like being in “witness protection.” But everything changed in 2025.

Her Return in the 2025 HBO Documentary

After decades away from the spotlight, Elizabeth Ann Weber finally spoke out. She appeared in the two-part HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, which premiered in July 2025.

At first, she didn’t want to be part of it. She told the press she had a peaceful life and valued her privacy. But her granddaughter and the film team convinced her. And she was glad she did it.

In the documentary, Elizabeth talked warmly about her time with Billy. She said, “It was great then, it’s great whenever I think about it, and it’s great now.” She praised his work ethic and talent, saying he always worked harder than anyone she knew.

Even though they are no longer close, she said they are still friendly. Her interview helped many fans finally understand her side of the story.

Final Thoughts

Elizabeth Ann Weber will always be remembered as the first wife of Billy Joel, but she was much more than that. She was a smart businesswoman, a strong personality, and the muse behind some of his most touching songs.

Their love story had ups and downs — full of passion, heartbreak, and music. She played a big part in Billy Joel’s rise to fame, even if her name wasn’t always in the spotlight.

Now, after many years of silence, Elizabeth Ann Weber has shared her truth. And even though she lives quietly, her story still touches the hearts of music fans around the world.

(FAQs)

How much money does Elizabeth Ann Weber have?

She is said to have around $1 to $5 million. Most of this came from her divorce from Billy Joel, the house he bought her, and music royalties.

How old is Elizabeth Ann Weber now?

She was born in 1942, so she is 83 years old in 2025. She recently showed up in Billy Joel’s 2025 HBO documentary, surprising many fans.

Who was her first husband before Billy Joel?

Before Billy, she was married to Jon Small, Billy Joel’s friend and bandmate. She and Billy had an affair, which broke up the band and shocked everyone.

Is Elizabeth Weber married today?

No, she is not married now. After her divorce from Billy Joel in 1982, she stayed single and lived a quiet life.

Does she have any kids?

Yes, she has one son named Sean from her first marriage. Billy Joel helped raise him during their marriage, and Sean was even on one of Billy’s album covers.