Billy Joel’s $18.75 Million Hideaway in the Hamptons
Billy Joel released his first hit single, “The Piano Man,” in 1973. He has since become a six-time Grammy winner with 33 top 40 hits and more than 150 million records sold worldwide. Joel announced that he was “retiring” from pop music in 1993 but has continued to tour, sometimes with Elton John.
Today he is married to cookbook author Katie Lee Joel, and the couple owns an $18.75 million hideaway in the Hamptons.
Do you like it? I love the views from the wraparound deck, and I think the whole thing looks pretty laid-back and comfortable to hang out in. The yellow and white-striped awning is cheerful.
While we’re talking about Joels, did you see them on Oprah recently? Wow, that had to be one of the most uncomfortable interviews I’d ever seen. First of all, Billy Joel looked perturbed that he had to be there at all, and he was not pleased to have to answer Oprah’s questions about his highly publicized series of car accidents and two trips to rehab.
Then when his wife joined him onstage for her portion of the interview and tried to hold his hand, he slowly…pulled it…away. It was all very awkward.
Billy married Katie in 2004 when she was only 23 and he was 55.
Despite the 32-year age gap between Katie and Billy, they insist it doesn’t matter. Katie told Oprah, “He has this job that’s allowed him to be really immature for a long time—rock star. And I happen to be more mature for my age, so we meet somewhere in the middle.”
Billy added, “I’ve said this before—I would have married her if she was 30 years older than me,” Billy says. “When it works and it clicks, you don’t fight it. You go with it.”
(I hate to be a cynic, but somehow I can’t imagine he would’ve found her quite as alluring as an 85-year old.)
Earlier this year, Billy released a single called “All My Life” as a birthday present to Katie.
Katie Joel was the original host of “Top Chef” on Bravo but only lasted the first season. Let’s just say she was the Todd Oldham of “Top Chef” (if you don’t get that reference, click here). Padma Lakshmi, the model/cookbook author, has been hosting ever since. “Top Chef” is addictive television. If you aren’t watching, you need to start. I’m telling you.
Now Katie is touting a new cookbook she wrote called The Comfort Table. The foreward was written by Paula Deen. (I love Paula Deen! Is there anyone who doesn’t?)
Here’s a photo from the launch party thrown for her new cookbook. Katie was celebrating with Rachael Ray and Bobby Flay (via TVCrunch):
To get the meatloaf recipe Katie shared on Oprah, click here. Oprah says it was delicious, but I just can’t get excited about meatloaf, so I’ll just take her word for it, myself. You can see the dining and living rooms of the Joels’ New York City apartment behind Katie in this photo:
To watch the video tour of the Joels’ home in the West Village (decorated by the fabulous Nate Berkus), click here (they make you watch a short commercial first). This is a still photo from that home tour:
The Piano Man made big headlines when he married “Uptown Girl” Christie Brinkley in 1985. Their daughter Alexa Ray (named after Ray Charles) is now 22 and pursuing a musical career of her own. Go to Alexa Ray’s official website to hear some of her music. Billy and Christie divorced in 1994 but remain on friendly terms. She even attended his wedding to Katie in 2004.
Hampton House photos via Radar Online. Wedding photo of Billy and Katie Joel via Oprah Online. Photo of Alexa Ray and Christie Brinkley via Getty Images.
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April 17th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Seriously this house is worth $18 million dollars. Am I the only person underwhelmed. (I don’t believe for one second he would have married here if she was 30 years older)(If you buy that I’ve got a bridge I’ll sell ya….. hardly ever used!!! A little old lady only used it to go to church every week…Haha)
He certainly looked very uncomfortable on Oprah. I wonder if they actually spend any time together. Wait a minute is the blog about houses? LOL I am regressing to one of my fav hobbies celeb gossip.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
All I can figure is that they’re paying for the location, right? Because the house itself isn’t all that exciting, really. When they show more exterior shots of a house than interior, you figure there must not be a lot to impress buyers inside….
I admit I’m a total sucker for celeb gossip. Have you noticed how I work it into all these posts about famous house?
April 17th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
She’s thin,she’s young, she’s beautiful, she’s rich, she’s married to Billy Joel, she has a gorgeous house on the beach.
I hate her guts.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Oh, that’s like the perfect beach house!
April 17th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I think Billy is the lucky one! I can’t believe you guys like this house. It is so plain.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:39 am
I actually love the house and love the location right by the water, but can’t believe it cost 18 million. I feel like they got taken, even in that area. I’m still most obsessed with Michael J Fox/Tracy Pollan’s house, and it cost 1/3 what this one did and seemed more tranquil and had more character. I saw her cookbook at Costco this weekend, and thought, “Who’s Katie Lee Joel, and why is Paula Deen writing forewords for her?” Now I get it. And Julia, you should try the Barefoot Contessa’s turkey meatloaf recipe (from her first book); I actually crave it sometimes, and I also find meatload a little underwhelming.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Hmmm. I do like the Barefoot Contessa. I imagine if anyone could make meatloaf palatable, it would be her!
Or Paula Deen. I love her. I want her to come to my house and cook fatty fried foods for me and call me “Sweetheart.” If she made me meatloaf, I’d be happy to eat it.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:25 am
I have to agree with JLB. $18 MILLION? Seems excessive- even for the Hamptons! I didn’t see the Oprah show with them on- bummer.
Julia- Paula Deen has a restaurant in Savannah. Want to come for a visit? We can drive up and stand in a 2 hour line and hope we get in. lol It’s THAT popular! My mom has tried to get in a few times but the line is always so long.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:48 am
LOVE Paula Deen, I have not been to The Lady & Sons, my SIL just moved to SC so hopefully soon we can get over to GA and see her
I agree with everyone not so fond of this house, love Billy’s music though.
My Mother was a wonderful cook and I never had meatloaf as a kid, not until I was married did I try it, I don’t do ketchup so when I make it I add tomato sauce (my own) and place two pieces of bacon on top. It really is a nice winter meal with mashed potatoes of course…..
Nice post,
Kathy :)..
April 18th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Re: the house, the wraparound deck and the views are what makes it special and for a getaway, it’s all about the outside anyway.
Re: the celeb gossip, lord he looks old! And too bad his daughter didn’t get her mother’s looks instead of his. (Catty remark, right?)
Re: meatloaf, Yum! I make it in little muffin tins, that way it only takes about 20 minutes to bake instead of an hour. The ultimate comfort food, especially with mashed potatoes.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:17 am
All this talk about Paula Deen. I just bumped into her in the Savannah Airport. (Savannah native here-snobbish remark inserted) It was to funny this guy from NY was lloking at her cookbook in the shop and said “who the hell is Paula Deen, evryone in my office was talking about her”. Too funny she was actually standing behind him. I am not making this up.She is a very sweet person.
April 18th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
i.love.this.house.i.can’t.believe.it’s.worth.18.million
My first reaction was to fall in love with the laid-back vibe and the location. It wasn’t until I read JLB’s first comment that it sunk in that it’s worth 18 million. You have to give them credit for creating a home that looks comfy and doesn’t go over-the-top in showing off their wealth. but still…18 mil…quiet sob…I guess I’ll never be a future owner of this abode (LOL as if that was ever a possibility!)
May 14th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Katie married Billy Joel for the MONEY and the FAME only. She will divorce him in about 5-7 years for a BIG MONEY/HOUSE settlement and then find someone she really loves while she is still in her late 20’s. Katie is as smart as she is attractive. Way to go girl!!
July 13th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
i loooove billy joel!!! katie only married him 4 his $ & fame. that is mean! i h8 her guts! like hairy! o & by the way billy, if u ever read this i loved ur may 23rd concert at mohegan sun!! i screamed the loudest! Downeaster “Alexa” rocks! i cried when u sang it cuz thats my fav song!!!! & my ringtone on my cell! ur my background! and katie, if u ever read this im sorry i was mean. ium just sooo jealous! hey billy! guess wat else!!!! my b-days 5 days after yours, when the comment b4 me was posted. ok now im babbling! Bye!
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 am
[...] Joel is ubiquitous. It’s not his music as much as how he just keeps buying up houses all over the place. Where the deuce does he live??? He’s got like nineteen houses… « [...]
August 5th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I think it’s lovely and oh so real. That’s why he has such real and fabulous music because that’s who he is. As for the price, if you know anything about ocean-front property on Long Island, you know that 18 million is actually quite acceptable. Nice, quiet and beautiful location. God Bless the house and the family, please.