You’ve probably heard Billy Joel’s songs like Just the Way You Are or She’s Always a Woman. But did you know that many of these timeless hits were inspired by one woman, Elizabeth Ann Weber?
She wasn’t just Billy Joel’s first wife. She was also his manager, his muse, and one of the most powerful people in his early music career. Their love story was full of passion, success, betrayal, and heartbreak. Even though Elizabeth never became a celebrity, her name still comes up whenever people talk about Billy Joel’s life and music.
In this article, we’ll look closely at who Elizabeth Ann Weber is, how she met Billy Joel, and how she helped shape his career. We’ll also talk about their rocky marriage, the dramatic divorce, and where she is now. Let’s begin.
Elizabeth Ann Weber Quick Bio
| Full Name | Elizabeth Ann Weber |
|---|---|
| Born | 1942, New York, USA |
| Age (2025) | 83 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 103 lbs (47 kg) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Billy Joel |
| Child | Sean Small |
| Known For | Billy Joel’s first wife & manager |
| Education | New York University |
| Net Worth (2025) | $1 million – $5 million (estimated) |
| Lives Now | Unknown (private life) |
Who Is Elizabeth Ann Weber?
Elizabeth Ann Weber is mostly known today for being Billy Joel’s first wife. But there’s more to her story than just that. She was born in 1942 in New York, so in 2025, she is about 83 years old.
She grew up in New York and went to New York University. She was always known to be smart, strong, and very private. Not much is known about her parents or early life, but one name often mentioned is her brother, Frank Weber. He would later become a key figure in both her and Billy Joel’s story.
Elizabeth never tried to be famous, but her actions and her connection to Billy Joel made her well-known. She mostly stayed out of the spotlight, but her name still comes up when people talk about Joel’s most personal songs.
Her First Marriage Before Billy Joel
Before she became known as Billy Joel’s wife, Elizabeth was married to Jon Small. Jon was a musician too. He played the drums in a band called The Hassles. That same band also had Billy Joel as a member.
So, yes — Elizabeth met Billy through her first husband.
Elizabeth and Jon had a son named Sean Small. This was her only child. At that time, she was known as Elizabeth Weber Small. Their marriage seemed fine for a while, but things took a turn when she got close to Billy.
Their personal and music worlds were deeply connected. And soon, that mix of love and music would lead to a storm neither of them expected.
How Elizabeth Ann Weber Met Billy Joel?
Billy Joel met Elizabeth when they were all working together in the music scene. At the time, Billy and Jon Small were part of a rock group called The Hassles. After the band ended, they started a short-lived duo called Attila in 1969.
During that time, Billy got to know Jon’s wife, Elizabeth, very closely. Too closely. They began a secret relationship while she was still married to Jon.
As you can imagine, this caused a lot of problems. When Jon found out about the affair, it didn’t just end his marriage — it also ended his friendship and music partnership with Billy Joel.
So, how serious was it? Well, when Elizabeth left both men, Billy was heartbroken. According to Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography, he was so upset that he fell into depression and even tried to take his own life using pills and alcohol. Thankfully, he survived.
This was not just a love story. It was the start of something much bigger — a relationship that would shape music history.
A Love Story That Shocked Everyone
After disappearing for a while, Elizabeth came back. She and Billy reconnected and tried to start fresh. Their love had already caused so much drama, but they wanted to make it work.
On September 5, 1973, Billy Joel married Elizabeth Ann Weber. At that point, he was fully in love. He didn’t care about the past. He wanted a future with her. He even became a stepfather to her son Sean and once featured him on the cover of his Turnstiles album.
Their marriage seemed strong from the outside. Billy was climbing toward fame. Elizabeth stood beside him, not just as a wife, but as someone who handled his career. She became his business manager, guiding his next steps in the music world.
It looked like they were unstoppable. But behind the scenes, things were already getting complicated.
She Was More Than Just a Wife
Elizabeth wasn’t just the woman Billy Joel loved — she was the woman who helped run his career. She handled contracts, money, and bookings. She was in charge of the business side of things so Billy could focus on writing songs and performing.
And she was good at it.
Billy trusted her completely. He even let her make decisions about his music deals. It’s rare to see an artist give so much power to their spouse, but that’s how much he believed in her.
However, that much trust can also be dangerous. As the money and fame grew, so did the problems. Elizabeth became known as a strong and sometimes cold businesswoman. Some fans even criticized her for being too tough or controlling.
Still, during those early years, she helped Billy become the superstar he is today. And while they were building a music empire together, she was also inspiring the songs he wrote.
Songs Billy Wrote About Elizabeth Ann Weber
Many of Billy Joel’s most famous songs were inspired by Elizabeth Ann Weber. Some were sweet and romantic. Others were filled with pain and confusion.
Here are just a few of them:
“Just the Way You Are” — This was a birthday gift for Elizabeth. The song became a huge hit and won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. But when Billy gave it to her, she reportedly asked, “Do I get the publishing rights too?”
“She’s Got a Way” — A song from the early days of their love, showing how deeply he admired her.
“She’s Always a Woman” — This one painted a picture of a woman who is both gentle and sharp, kind and clever. Many people believe it was written directly about Elizabeth and her strong personality.
But not all of his songs about her were loving.
“Big Shot” and “The Stranger” were darker and full of frustration. These songs came during the later years of their relationship when things were falling apart.
“Until the Night” is another song that reflects longing, distance, and emotional pain — all things Billy may have been feeling during the marriage.
Through music, Billy Joel told the story of their relationship — the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
When Things Started Going Wrong?
At first, it looked like Elizabeth Ann Weber and Billy Joel were the perfect team. But behind the scenes, their marriage was starting to fall apart.
There were fights about money and trust. Billy was working nonstop, and Elizabeth was in control of his business. Over time, that balance became stressful for both of them. As his fame grew, so did the pressure in their personal lives.
One story stands out. According to Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography, in the early 1980s, Billy had a serious motorcycle accident and hurt his hands badly. While he was still in the hospital recovering, Elizabeth visited him, but not just to check on him. She also brought legal documents and asked him to sign over all his assets to her. That moment changed everything for Billy. He said, “That really killed it right there and then.”
The Divorce That Left Billy Joel Heartbroken
On July 20, 1982, Elizabeth Ann Weber and Billy Joel officially ended their marriage. They had been together for nine years.
The divorce was not friendly. Billy was deeply hurt, both emotionally and financially. The love that once inspired Grammy-winning songs has now turned into painful silence. Even after they separated, Elizabeth continued to manage some of Billy’s affairs for a short time, but the trust was gone.
The settlement details were never made fully public. However, as per People, many reports said that Elizabeth walked away with a big share of Joel’s earnings and property. It was one of the hardest times in his life. Yet, some of his most personal music came from that pain.
Her Brother’s Shocking Betrayal
The problems didn’t end with the divorce. A few years later, another big shock came — and this time, it involved Elizabeth’s brother, Frank Weber.
Frank had been Billy Joel’s financial manager for years. Billy trusted him with everything — contracts, investments, and money. But in 1989, Billy found out that Frank had been stealing from him. According to People, Joel sued Frank Weber for $90 million, saying that he misused over $30 million of Billy’s money.
The lawsuit was a huge story. Frank had reportedly invested money into his own personal projects and even gave out loans using Joel’s funds. In the end, Frank filed for bankruptcy. The case was settled outside of court, and Billy reportedly recovered around $3 million.
This betrayal hit Joel hard. It wasn’t just about money — it was about losing someone he once trusted, someone from Elizabeth’s family.
Where Is Elizabeth Ann Weber Now?
After all the drama, Elizabeth Ann Weber quietly stepped away from the spotlight. She never spoke publicly about the divorce or the lawsuit involving her brother. In fact, she disappeared from the media completely.
In 1982, Billy bought her a beautiful red-brick townhouse in New York City for $4 million. She lived there with her son Sean for many years. Later, in 1997, she sold the home for $3.74 million, according to Buzz Learn.
As of 2025, no one knows exactly where she lives or what she’s doing. She has no public social media accounts and hasn’t given any interviews. She seems to have chosen a life of complete privacy.
How Much Is Elizabeth Ann Weber Worth Today?
Even though she lives a quiet life, Elizabeth Ann Weber is still believed to be quite wealthy. As per NewsGator, her net worth in 2025 is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million.
Her income likely comes from a mix of things — the divorce settlement, property sales, and royalties. Yes, royalties. Since she inspired and was part of some of Billy Joel’s early music, she still earns money from those songs.
She also once worked in the film industry’s art department, helping behind the scenes on several projects between 1990 and 2016, according to IMDb.
Final Thoughts
So, who is Elizabeth Ann Weber?
She’s the woman who helped Billy Joel become a star. She was his first wife, his manager, and the muse behind some of his most famous songs. But she was also at the center of one of the most painful chapters in his life.
Their story had everything — love, fame, betrayal, and heartbreak. And even though Elizabeth has stayed away from the public eye for decades, her role in Billy Joel’s early years will never be forgotten.
Elizabeth Ann Weber may not be a celebrity, but she had a major impact on the life and career of one of the world’s most famous musicians. She helped build his empire, inspired his music, and then disappeared quietly into her own private world.
Today, her story is still remembered — not because she wanted fame, but because Billy Joel’s songs kept her name alive. Whether people love her or criticize her, there’s no doubt: Elizabeth Ann Weber left a lasting mark on music history.
(FAQs)
How old is Elizabeth Ann Weber now?
Elizabeth Ann Weber is 83 years old in 2025. She was born in 1942 and has stayed out of the spotlight for decades.
Where is Elizabeth Ann Weber today?
No one knows for sure. After selling her New York townhouse in 1997, she completely disappeared from public life. She has no social media, no interviews — just total silence.
What is Elizabeth Ann Weber’s net worth?
As of 2025, her net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million. She still earns from Billy Joel’s old songs and likely kept a large part of their divorce settlement.
What is Elizabeth Ann Weber’s height and weight?
She is about 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm) and weighs around 103 pounds (47 kg) — according to past reports from her time in the public eye.
Did Elizabeth Ann Weber have children?
Yes, she has one son, Sean Small, from her first marriage to Jon Small, not with Billy Joel.
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