34 seconds ago 2009-11-08T06:46:42-08:00
Billy Joel and Katie Lee Joel attend 'The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion' Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2009 in New York City Getty ImagesAccess Hollywood
NEW YORK, New York -- Billy Joel and his wife, Katie Lee, have split, according to the artist's rep.
"After nearly five years of marriage, Billy and Katie have decided to separate," a rep for the artist said in a statement to Access Hollywood. "The decision is the result of much thought and consideration. Billy and Katie remain caring friends, with admiration and respect for each other."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood's Lasting Relationships
According to the NY Daily News, which was first to break the story, celebrity chef Lee, 27, the first host of Bravo's "Top Chef," has been spotted out regularly with Yigal Azrouel, a 36-year-old fashion designer from Israel. The two were seen dancing closely in Miami earlier this year and sources told the paper the designer has called Lee, "my girlfriend."
When asked about their relationship, a rep for the Joels said the designer had no role in the separation.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Top 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces
"Their break-up has nothing to do with Yigal," Joel's spokeswoman, Claire Mercuri, told the paper. "Their decision to separate was absolutely unrelated to Yigal."
An unnamed friend of the couple told the paper that age played a factor in the break up -- Billy Joel, who turned 60 in May, was 33 years older than his wife.
"It was really the age difference that caught up with them," a friend of the couple told the Daily News. "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."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood Divorces
The couple, however, was spotted together recently on the red carpet at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 4.
Joel reportedly had a pre nup, the Daily News reported.
The couple owns two pug dogs together, Fionula and Sabrina.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame To Open In NYC
PLAY IT NOW: Billy Joel At Shea Stadium
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Billy Joel - Divorces - Couples - Music
comments
-
Lisa CIt is not neccessarily an age thing ..Catherine zeta jones was about the same age when she got Michael Douglas..its that she was a nobody..CZJ has an oscar..who is this chick?? lol..well whoever she is she will be rich now..nice going piano man..hard to believe this man was married to Christie Brinkley!report abuseposted June 18, 2009 8:11 PM PDT
-
calicornsyrup@...not a suprise he could be her great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great grandpa lolreport abuseposted June 18, 2009 7:51 PM PDT
-
Marianne SHey Billie call up Christie...she is free now, lol....report abuseposted June 18, 2009 7:23 PM PDT
-
ilovemydogshe is a gold digger,and he needs to get a woman his own age!!!report abuseposted June 18, 2009 6:36 PM PDT
-
nonamelol..women play the same old trick with old men and they still keep falling for it..when will they ever learn?report abuseposted June 18, 2009 6:28 PM PDT
-
nonamelol..women play the same old trick with old men and they still keep falling for it..when will they ever learn?report abuseposted June 18, 2009 6:28 PM PDT
-
Jourdani dont really care cus they were so bad together!!report abuseposted June 18, 2009 6:04 PM PDT
-
live happywell i wonder what he thought was going to happen when you are 33 yrs older than your wife. But listen theres a bright side to this Billy Joel, I'm your age call me...when you guys stop throwing your money & fame around maybe you'll have common sense to pick the right girl for you.report abuseposted June 18, 2009 5:58 PM PDT
-
HeidiWhy after so many failed marriages to younger women does he continue to seek them out? If it is just for 'marital relations' the shelf life on that is limited as his latest marriage shows. He needs some therapy before he marries again, marriage should be for a lifetime. Sadly some older men seek validation of their virility by having younger women on their arm.report abuseposted June 18, 2009 5:45 PM PDT
-
LRForced back door actionreport abuseposted June 18, 2009 4:54 PM PDT
Post A Comment
- VIDEO: Access Extended Part I: Taylor Lautner On Bulking Up For 'New Moon'
- VIDEO: Access Extended Part I: Robert Pattinson On Hiding From Fans & His Famous Hair
- GALLERY: All Access: Up Close & Personal With The Stars Of 'New Moon' In Los Angeles
- VIDEO: Chris Brown & Rihanna Get Candid About Assault
- GALLERY: 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards
RELATED ARTICLES
- Joe Jackson seeks stipend from Michael's estate
November 6, 2009 5:18 PM PST - Chris Brown on Rihanna's Interview: Assault Should Be "Between Us"
November 6, 2009 4:23 PM PST - Yoko Ono looks back on early activism
November 6, 2009 3:29 PM PST - Usher and Tameka Raymond's Divorce Finalized
November 6, 2009 2:54 PM PST - Mary J. Blige, Green Day, Keith Urban & Shakira Added As 'American Music Awards' Performers
November 6, 2009 2:46 PM PST
RELATED PHOTOS
RELATED VIDEOS
Updates
Today
-
-
1 minute ago 2009-11-08T06:45:30-08:00
-
1 minute ago 2009-11-08T06:45:20-08:00
-
2 minutes ago 2009-11-08T06:44:53-08:00
-
2 minutes ago 2009-11-08T06:44:53-08:00
-
2 minutes ago 2009-11-08T06:44:43-08:00
comments