Billy Joel Details Suicide Attempts After Affair With Friend’s Wife

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Content warning: This article includes mention of suicide.

Billy Joel is reflecting on a dark chapter in his life.

In the recently released documentary titled “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” the renowned singer known as the “Piano Man” disclosed that he had attempted suicide on two occasions following the public exposure of his affair with his ex-bandmate’s wife.

Based on what was shared, a 76-year-old individual and his longtime friend Jon Small, who first met in 1965, established their rock group named Attila in the year 1969. As their band started gaining popularity in New York, he decided to live with Jon, Elizabeth Weber (Jon’s then-wife), and their son.

76-year-old Elizabeth shared with People magazine that she and the Grammy winner had spent considerable time together prior to their romantic relationship, which gradually developed over time. Billy later disclosed his affair to Jon, resulting in a heated argument that ultimately terminated both their friendship and the group’s brief career.

In the movie, the ‘Uptown Girl’ star confessed that she felt incredibly remorseful about it. You see, they had a child together, and she couldn’t help but feel like an intruder, or a home-wrecker. She was deeply in love with a woman, and her feelings were brutally hurt – almost as if someone had hit her in the face. Jon was clearly distraught, and so was she.

Billy was deeply impacted by the breakup of his former relationship. This led him to leave Jon’s house and develop a drinking habit. Later on, he reconnected with Elizabeth in the year 1973, and they got married. However, their marriage ended in 1982. Despite their later reconciliation, the remorse from their past affair lingered and continued to affect him.

He went on to say, “I had no home, so I resorted to sleeping in laundromats. It got to the point where I was close to being psychotic from my depression. I thought, ‘Enough is enough. I don’t want to live anymore.’ I was in a lot of distress.

The rock musician attempted suicide by ingesting an entire bottle of sleeping medication, causing him to slip into a prolonged coma. Later, he drank a full bottle of Pledge, prompting Jon (who hadn’t reconciled with Billy yet) to take him to the hospital.

“Even though our friendship was blowing up,” he noted, “Jon saved my life.” 

In time, the once-estranged companions made up, and Billy understood it was important for him to show the same forgiveness towards himself. Following his second spell in hospital, the pianist voluntarily admitted himself to a “psychiatric observation unit” for several weeks – a move that rekindled his relationship with music.

He stepped out from the observation room and reflecting on his healing process, he shared, “I realized then that I could use all those feelings, transform them into music.

Keep reading to see more stars that have opened up about their mental health struggles…

Initially estranged companions found their way back together, yet Billy understood the importance of showing the same forgiveness towards himself. Not long following his second hospital stay, the pianist voluntarily admitted himself to an “observation unit” for several weeks, a choice that rekindled his connection with music.

Leaving the observation room, he pondered internally, ‘I can direct all these feelings into making music,'” he shared about his healing process, reflecting on that moment.

Keep reading to see more stars that have opened up about their mental health struggles…

The former star of “Gossip Girl” shared insights into his childhood acting years, where he referred to a condition known as “body dysmorphia.” In simpler terms, this means he struggled with perceiving his physical appearance differently than others do.

Penn expressed to The Guardian in April 2025 that they had strongly disliked their physical form and desired a different body instead.

In reaction to the weight he gained due to his parents’ divorce, he expressed, “There was a time when, emerging from depression and seclusion, I found myself voluntarily entering yet unwillingly being immersed in a world where the more traditionally attractive I appeared, the greater my potential success, the higher my perceived worth.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He clarified that it was this experience that helped him keep going despite the disappointment and the challenges he faced. Eventually, he returned to these issues, hoping that he had undergone some sort of personal growth or change within himself.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

In a recent interview on ‘The Funny Thing Is’ podcast, she referred to what others might label as an eating disorder, but for her, it’s simply part of her existence. She often describes food as her preferred vice, and admits to some extraordinary behaviors related to it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting her difficulties with her diet, she’s also been open about the advancements she’s made towards her health and fitness targets.

In 2017, she shared with Bon Appétit that when she was 23 years old, she completely eliminated sugar from her diet, stopped drinking alcohol, and started practicing yoga, focusing on breathing exercises and stretching. She described this lifestyle change as the best “natural stimulant” or “natural energy booster” one could offer anyone.

She added, “I’m a performer who struggles with food-related problems and self-image concerns – it’s true. However, I’m working on healing those aspects of me and taking care of my health in a natural way by nourishing my body with the best nutrients available.

As a wellness advocate, I’d like to share my personal insights about my mental health voyage and coping with depression. In this case, I refer to my experience as an actress on “Full House.

On my personal lifestyle podcast, I confided that it’s challenging for me to express this issue, not even with the people I trust the most. For me, it seems that I should be resilient enough to conquer such difficulties, but admitting weakness in this situation makes me feel vulnerable instead.

The Grammy-winning artist is quite transparent about the strategies she uses to preserve her vitality, including disregarding negative comments on social platforms, and at the same time offering guidance for those who might benefit from it.

In her conversation with Vogue, she shared that when asked about guidance on mental wellness, she could only emphasize the importance of patience. She was patient with herself, refraining from rushing things, and giving time for issues to dissipate gradually.

Meanwhile, as people were adjusting to social distancing measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the artist known for “Firework” openly discussed how such circumstances can also be incredibly demanding and stressful.

She expressed on Twitter that it’s tough deciding which is harder to deal with – the virus or the bouts of depression this new normal brings her. To cope, she explained that her vehicle has become her sanctuary, where she often seeks refuge.

The fashion model collaborated with Kenneth Cole to promote The Mental Health Coalition, and she openly discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on the morning talk show, “Good Morning America.

After her panic attacks began reoccurring, she “eventually managed to gather the necessary information about it.

Kendall mentioned that she has periods when she feels great and others where she gets quite anxious, making her mood unpredictable. She shared this to explain why she’s interested in joining the movement. Her goal is to help others realize they’re not alone in their feelings.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share a personal perspective that resonates with me. Just like Dwayne Johnson, the incredible actor who brings Black Adam to life on screen, I too have faced battles with depression. It’s an issue that many men find challenging to discuss when it comes to mental health. We need to break this stigma and encourage open conversations about our feelings, as understanding and support can make all the difference in overcoming these challenges together.

He posted on Twitter, “We all experience hard times and depression doesn’t choose its victims. It took me a while to understand this, but the crucial thing is not to be afraid to express your feelings. Men especially tend to hold things inside, but remember you are not alone in this struggle.

Prince Harry, also known as The Duke of Sussex, has played a significant role in reducing the social taboo associated with seeking mental health assistance. In an interview with The Telegraph, he candidly shared his personal experience with therapy, expressing that he discovered he was not alone when he started talking about it, likening himself to many others who are part of a large support group.

The actress from “Empire” who advocates for professional assistance has been candid about her battles with depression. In her words, she confided in Variety, “I see a therapist, and that’s how I manage to cope.

Taraji herself established The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, an organization dedicated to minimizing the social stigma associated with mental health within the African-American community, while simultaneously aiming to boost the representation of Black therapists.

The Grammy-winning artist shared that past struggles with eating disorders and stage fright prompted her to embark on a type of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment known as MDMA and psilocybin therapy.

In an interview with Rolling Stone in May 2025, she shared that for the first time, she was performing without stage fright. She described it as if a hook had gripped her gut, and everyone in the room seemed to be experiencing the same intense sensation – like there had been a sudden change in pressure. This experience made her understand just how much she cherishes and relies on that profound, physical reaction to truly feel her music.

Instead of saying “her understanding of her own gender became ‘more expansive,'” you could also express it as “she found a broader perspective regarding her personal gender identity.

She expressed feeling as if she no longer needed to continue using birth control, suggesting a break from the confines of controlled femininity. In a somewhat unconventional manner, she explained this sensation as stepping outside the boundaries of traditional femininity. This shift, she believed, opened up new possibilities for her.

In her Instagram post from 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared that during middle school, she faced intense anxiety and depression. She expressed gratitude for the aid and encouragement she received from her family and a therapist, stating they were instrumental in saving her life. She emphasized that seeking help is crucial, reminding everyone that they are incredibly valuable to this world.

For quite some time, the main actress from the movie “Frozen” has openly discussed her methods of handling her mental health in various public talks and also on her Instagram posts.

She suggests seeking approaches tailored to your own needs; for instance, as stated in Health, these could encompass medication, maintaining a list of ten positive aspects for each negative thought, and ensuring regular physical activity.

The cookbook author is a doting mother to four children and has openly discussed postpartum depression, a topic many new mothers find challenging to discuss due to its stigma.

In a heartfelt missive penned for Glamour magazine back in 2017, I expressed that each time I verbalized it, it grew progressively simpler. My intention was to make others aware that this experience can affect anyone, and I didn’t want those who go through it to feel ashamed or isolated.

As she shared insights about her book “Mirror, Mirror“, the model candidly discussed her struggles with depression and suicidal feelings during adolescence with The Edit magazine, describing a sense of darkness within herself during those years.

Cara admitted she overly relied on others for happiness, but now, having learned to find joy within herself, she can be content alone. This realization came after a significant period of self-discovery,” Cara shared with the publication, as reported by W.

The artist behind “Thank U, Next” has humorously responded to a Twitter user’s joke about wondering who Ariana’s therapist is, but in reality, therapy has saved her life on numerous occasions.

She added, “There’s no need to hesitate when seeking assistance. You don’t have to continue suffering and processing traumatic experiences. Acknowledging that relief is possible is an important step forward.

The artist openly shares her struggles and victories related to addiction, recovery, mental wellness, among other personal topics, by incorporating them into her musical compositions.

Additionally, she often emphasizes to her followers that nurturing one’s mental wellness is a continuous journey, filled with both good times and challenging days. On Instagram, she previously penned, “A gentle reminder for those who are finding it tough – life is a voyage with many highs and lows, but remember not to surrender.

Apart from portraying characters dealing with mental health issues, like her role as Rue in the teen series Euphoria, she has also shared personal experiences related to these topics.

2013 saw Zendaya penning down on her former app about her battle with anxiety following an episode on Ellen, where her microphone malfunctioned. Since then, she has discovered methods to cope with these emotions, also mentioning that at times, one needs to momentarily retreat to alleviate stress.

As an ardent admirer putting pen to paper, let me express that the artist bared her soul in an interview with WSJ Magazine, disclosing her mental health odyssey. She candidly admitted, “My peaks were almost euphoric, while my valleys would leave me bedridden for extended periods.

In a heartfelt confession, I’ve come to terms with battling mental health challenges in my own journey. But, with the right prescription, my world has been turned upside down – in the best possible way!”

This sentence retains the original meaning while conveying a more personal and passionate tone, as if spoken by an enthusiastic fan.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting acts of kindness and openly discussing mental health issues, even sharing her personal experiences.

She shared during the Global Changemakers Award at Children Mending Hearts’ Empathy Rocks fundraiser in 2018 that she had concealed her mental health struggles for a considerable period, both openly and privately. However, she emphasized that secrecy only perpetuates illness, implying that openness about her experiences might be beneficial to her recovery.

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2025-06-06 20:47