Who Is Elizabeth Ann Weber? The Life of Billy Joel’s First Wife

Elizabeth Ann Weber is the first wife of famous singer and songwriter Billy Joel. While she is not as well-known today, she was very important in his life and career during the 1970s. This article will explore her background, her marriage to Billy Joel, and how she helped shape his career.

Quick Facts About Elizabeth Ann Weber

Before diving into her life story, here are some key facts about Elizabeth:

• Full Name: Elizabeth Ann Weber
• Born: 1942, New York, USA
• Age: 82 years old (as of 2024)
• Ex-Husband: Billy Joel (1973–1982)
• Children: One (Sean Small)
• Job: Billy Joel’s former manager
• Height: 5’6″
• Weight: 103 pounds
• Hair Color: Black
• Eye Color: Green
• Nationality: American

Early Life

Elizabeth Ann Weber was born in 1942 in New York City. She attended New York University, but not much is known about her early life before she became involved with Billy Joel. She also has a brother named Frank Weber, who would later work with Billy Joel as his manager.

Elizabeth was married once before she met Billy Joel. She was married to a man named Jon Small, who was the drummer in Billy Joel’s rock band called The Hassles. This connection would lead to her meeting Billy.

Her First Marriage to Jon Small

Elizabeth’s first marriage was to Jon Small, who was in the same band as Billy Joel. Jon and Elizabeth had one child together, a son named Sean. While she was still married to Jon, Elizabeth met Billy Joel, and they eventually began a romantic relationship.

How Elizabeth Met Billy Joel

Elizabeth first met Billy Joel in 1970, through her husband Jon Small. Billy was struck by how different she was from other women he knew. He described her as smart, strong, and not afraid to speak her mind. She wasn’t like the typical girls he had met. According to Billy Joel, Elizabeth had a charm that was different from most women he had encountered.

Their relationship was scandalous because they started dating while Elizabeth was still married to Jon. After their affair became public, Elizabeth ended her relationship with both Jon and Billy for a while, but later returned to marry Billy.

Elizabeth and Billy Joel’s Marriage

Elizabeth and Billy Joel got married on September 5, 1973. Their relationship was often talked about in the media because it started with an affair. Many people didn’t like Elizabeth because she took control of Billy Joel’s career. Soon after they got married, Elizabeth became Billy’s manager, handling his business deals, contracts, and money.

One of the most criticized moments came when Billy Joel was injured in a motorcycle accident in 1982. Elizabeth visited him in the hospital but brought along legal papers asking him to sign his money over to her. This cold action upset Billy and made their relationship even worse.

Elizabeth’s Role in Billy Joel’s Career

Even though their marriage was rocky, Elizabeth had a big impact on Billy Joel’s career. After they got married, she helped him manage his business deals and guided him through important decisions. She played a key role in his success during the 1970s.

Elizabeth was the inspiration behind some of Billy Joel’s most famous songs. For example, he wrote “Just the Way You Are” as a birthday gift for her. Although the song became very popular, Elizabeth’s reaction to it was surprising. According to reports, she asked, “Do I get the publishing, too?” This response showed her business-first approach, which often led people to see her as cold.

Elizabeth also inspired other famous songs like “She’s Always a Woman,” where Billy Joel described a woman who is both loving and harsh at the same time. The lyrics reflected how Billy saw Elizabeth in both their personal and business relationships.

Divorce and Life After Billy Joel

Elizabeth and Billy Joel divorced on July 20, 1982, after nine years of marriage. The divorce was not easy, with many arguments over money. Elizabeth received a lot of money in the settlement, including a $4 million townhouse and a share of royalties from some of Billy Joel’s early songs. Even today, she still earns money from songs like “Just the Way You Are” and “The Stranger.”

After the divorce, Elizabeth lived a quiet life, away from the spotlight. She sold the townhouse in 1997 for $3.74 million.

Trouble Involving Her Brother, Frank Weber

Elizabeth’s brother, Frank Weber, played a big role in Billy Joel’s career. He managed Billy’s money, but their relationship fell apart after Billy discovered that Frank was secretly taking money from him. In 1989, Billy Joel sued Frank for $30 million. The case was eventually settled out of court, but it caused more drama in Elizabeth’s life after her divorce.

Fun Facts About Elizabeth Ann Weber

Here are some fun facts you might not know about Elizabeth:

1. Elizabeth’s only child, Sean Small, appeared on the cover of Billy Joel’s Turnstiles album in 1976.
2. Elizabeth’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, much of it from her divorce settlement and royalties from Billy Joel’s songs.
3. She worked behind the scenes in the film industry, in the art department of several projects from 1990 to 2016.
4. Despite her past public life, Elizabeth has lived privately since her divorce, and very little is known about her today.

Where Is Elizabeth Ann Weber Now?

Today, Elizabeth Ann Weber lives away from the public eye. Since her divorce from Billy Joel, she has kept a low profile. There are no recent updates about her personal life, and she has not been in the media for many years.

Conclusion

Elizabeth Ann Weber played a major role in Billy Joel’s life and career. Even though their marriage was filled with controversy, she helped manage his early success and inspired some of his most famous songs. While she now lives privately, her influence on Billy Joel’s music and career is still remembered today.

FAQs About Elizabeth Ann Weber

1. Who is Elizabeth Ann Weber?

Elizabeth Ann Weber is Billy Joel’s first wife. They were married from 1973 to 1982. Elizabeth helped Billy with his career in music and was a big part of his early success.

2. How did Elizabeth Ann Weber meet Billy Joel?

Elizabeth met Billy Joel in 1970 through her first husband, Jon Small. Jon was a drummer in Billy’s band The Hassles. This is how she first got to know Billy.

3. How long were Billy Joel and Elizabeth Ann Weber married?

Billy Joel and Elizabeth Ann Weber were married for nine years. They got married in 1973 and divorced in 1982.

4. Did Elizabeth Ann Weber have children with Billy Joel?

No, Elizabeth and Billy Joel did not have any children together. However, she has one son named Sean Small from her first marriage to Jon Small.

5. What songs did Billy Joel write about Elizabeth Ann Weber?

Billy Joel wrote many songs inspired by Elizabeth. Some of these songs include “Just the Way You Are,” “She’s Always a Woman,” and “The Stranger.” These songs became some of his most popular hits.

6. What happened to Elizabeth Ann Weber after the divorce?

After her divorce from Billy Joel, Elizabeth kept a low profile. She lives quietly away from the public eye, but she still earns money from the songs Billy wrote about her.

7. Where is Elizabeth Ann Weber now?

Elizabeth Ann Weber now lives a private life. There isn’t much public information about her. She stays away from the media and doesn’t share much about her current activities.

8. What is Elizabeth Ann Weber’s net worth?

Elizabeth Ann Weber’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. She earned this money from her divorce settlement and from royalties from Billy Joel’s songs.

9. Was Elizabeth Ann Weber involved in the film industry?

Yes, Elizabeth worked in the film industry for some time. She worked in the art department on movies and TV shows from 1990 to 2016.

10. Is Elizabeth Ann Weber still alive?

As of 2024, there have been no reports of Elizabeth Ann Weber passing away. She is believed to be alive and living privately at the age of 82.