Katie Lee Photos:Billy Joel's third marriage is breaking up, but he says it's not because his wife has been stepping out with a dashing designer.The Piano Man and wife Katie Lee confirmed the split to the Daily News in a joint statement: "After nearly five years of marriage, Billy and Katie have decided to separate.
"This decision is the result of much thought and consideration. Billy and Katie remain caring friends, with admiration and respect for each other."
Rumors have swirled for months that the marriage was on the rocks, with reports linking Lee, a 27-year-old chef and author, to Yigal Azrouel, a handsome 36-year-old Israeli-born fashion designer.
Sources reported seeing them dirty-dancing in Miami in January and have claimed that Azrouel referred to Lee as "my girlfriend."
Reps for the Joels insisted that Azrouel is just a friend and that Billy, 60, was happy to skip the parties, fashion shows and fund-raisers that his younger wife enjo
yed."Their decision to separate was absolutely unrelated to Yigal," said Joel's spokeswoman Claire Mercuri.
"It was really the age difference that caught up with them," said a friend of the couple. "They grew apart. She is very career-oriented. She loves going out. She loves the city. When Billy isn't touring, he'd rather be on Long Island with his motorcycles and boats."
Various friends hinted at infidelity on both sides, though a longtime pal of Joel insisted "he's always remained faithful to Katie. When he was touring with Elton John, he flew home almost every night."
In recent weeks, Joel has been living on Long Island, where he owns mansions in Sag Harbor and Sagaponack. Lee is said to have stayed at the couple's Greenwich Village townhouse, not far from Azrouel's boutique.
Joel's daughter with Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel, told The News she knew about the divorce.
"Of course. I was the first person he told," said Alexa, who is just four years younger than Katie. "He's doing very well. ... I am going to help him and I am going to be there. It's for the best."
Lee, who grew up in West Virginia, met Joel at a New York party in 2003 and they married a year later. Alexa was maid of honor.
Joel's nine-year marriage to model Brinkley ended in 1994. His nine-year marriage to Elizabeth Weber went bust in 1982.
For his latest marriage, he's believed to have a prenuptial agreement to protect the millions his many hits have made him.
