Billy Joel’s first marriage, to Elizabeth Weber, ended in divorce in 1982. Years later, Joel sued her brother Frank Weber, his former manager, alleging financial misconduct and seeking $90 million in damages. The reported $30 million was an alleged loss and a figure Joel later recalled from an audit—not a court finding that Frank Weber stole that amount.
Who was Billy Joel’s first wife?
Joel married Elizabeth Weber in 1973, and they divorced in 1982, according to Biography.com. The Washington Post also dates the divorce to 1982 and describes the marriage as vituperative. That description is the newspaper’s characterization; it does not establish that the relationship itself caused the later financial dispute.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Greatest Hits Volume I & II | $26.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
The Stranger (30th Anniversary Legacy Edition) | $24.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Joel Billy - Stranger | $25.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Glass Houses | $28.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Piano Man | $27.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Elizabeth Weber was Joel’s wife and manager. Her brother Frank Weber later worked for Joel and became his manager, connecting the family relationship to the later lawsuit.
Why did Billy Joel sue Frank Weber?
In September 1989, Joel filed a lawsuit against Frank Weber. The Los Angeles Times reported that the complaint alleged fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and federal racketeering violations. It also described allegations involving commissions and loans. These were claims in a complaint, not findings reached at trial.
#1 Best Overall
- ----------------------------------------
- Availability: Pre-Order
- Format: Vinyl
- Genre: Rock
- Released: 2025-08-22
What the lawsuit sought
The suit sought $90 million in damages: $30 million in compensatory damages and $60 million in punitive damages, according to the Los Angeles Times’ account of the complaint. The $90 million was the total requested, while $30 million was the compensatory portion. Neither amount should be mistaken for a judgment or a finding of what Weber took.
What does the $30 million figure mean?
There are two related but distinct accounts of the figure. Joel later recalled in an interview: “At one time there was an audit, and I was given a figure of $30 million.” That is Joel describing what he was told by an audit; it is not an independently established audit result in the available reporting.
Rank #2
- 12" Analog LP Board STEREO
In its 1993 profile, the Washington Post reported that, according to Joel, Weber bilked him of $30 million in songwriting royalties, concert receipts and other income. That wording reports Joel’s account. It should not be turned into a claim that a court established theft of exactly $30 million.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How much did Joel recover?
A 2014 New Yorker retrospective says the litigation was settled out of court. It reports that Joel received settlements totaling roughly $10 million and that most of the money was never recovered. The account does not describe a court verdict finding that Frank Weber stole $30 million.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteQuick Recap
Best Value
- Format: Vinyl...
- Released: 2023-11-03...
- Format: Vinyl...
- Released: 2023-11-03...
Rank #4
- Availability: Pre-Order
- Format: Vinyl
- Genre: Rock
- Released: 2025-07-11
Rank #3
- Rock Vinyl LP Record - Billy Joel
That leaves three figures with different meanings:
- $30 million: the alleged compensatory loss in the 1989 complaint and the amount Joel later recalled being given from an audit.
- $90 million: the total damages sought in the complaint, including $60 million in punitive damages.
- Roughly $10 million: the total settlement recovery reported by the New Yorker in 2014.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
