Billy Joel has reflected on a dark chapter in his life involving personal heartbreak and two suicide attempts

Billy Joel has revealed a painful period in his past, opening up about two suicide attempts that occurred following an affair with his best friend’s wife. In a deeply personal and raw recollection, the legendary singer-songwriter shed light on the emotional turmoil he endured during his early years—one that nearly cost him his life.

Speaking with honesty and vulnerability, Joel recalled the psychological impact of a deeply complicated romantic entanglement that left him feeling isolated, ashamed and heartbroken. The situation unfolded in the early 1970s, before his global fame had fully taken hold. Struggling to find his footing both personally and professionally, Joel found himself entangled in a relationship with the wife of his closest friend—an affair that would have long-lasting emotional consequences.

The experience drove him into a severe depression, leading him to attempt suicide on two separate occasions. The first involved an overdose of furniture polish, a haunting detail that Joel has previously mentioned with a degree of dark humour, but now recounts with more gravity. He explained that, at the time, he was young, confused and overwhelmed by the guilt and emotional chaos he felt.

The second attempt followed shortly after, as his mental health continued to spiral. Fortunately, both incidents resulted in Joel receiving the help he desperately needed. He checked himself into a psychiatric hospital, an experience that helped him begin the process of healing and self-reflection. It was during this stay that Joel realised the importance of confronting his pain and working through his struggles, rather than allowing them to consume him.

This period of anguish would later influence his music, with the honesty and emotional depth found in many of his songs tracing back to those darker days. Joel has often written with a sense of lived experience, and his candidness about this chapter adds new layers of meaning to tracks like Piano Man, Vienna, and Summer, Highland Falls—songs that touch on loneliness, vulnerability and the complexities of the human spirit.

Billy Joel’s suicide attempts are a sobering reminder that even those who seem destined for greatness can find themselves lost and struggling. His decision to speak openly about this deeply personal subject helps dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health, especially among men. It's also a poignant illustration of how art can emerge from adversity, with his music serving as both a personal outlet and a source of comfort to millions around the world.

The affair and subsequent fallout caused an irreparable rift in Joel’s friendship, but he has long since come to terms with the events. In recent reflections, he has spoken less with self-pity and more with the wisdom that comes from surviving and learning. He credits those painful years with shaping his resilience and sharpening his artistic voice—one that would go on to define American pop and rock throughout the 1970s and ’80s.

Today, Billy Joel stands not only as one of music’s most successful and enduring artists but also as someone who has faced his demons head-on. His ability to turn personal darkness into creative brilliance is part of what makes his story—and his songs—so powerful.

As conversations around mental health continue to grow louder, Joel’s honest revelations act as both a cautionary tale and a source of hope. They remind us that healing is possible, even when it feels far from reach. And for Billy Joel, those darkest moments paved the way to a life—and a career—he nearly didn’t live to see.