Supermodel Christie Brinkley has candidly shared the painful truth behind her divorce from music icon Billy Joel, admitting that his struggles with alcoholism became unbearable after ten years of marriage.
In a rare and emotional revelation, the 70-year-old former Sports Illustrated cover girl explained how she reached her breaking point, despite her deep love for the Piano Man singer.
The Final Straw
"There comes a moment when you realise love isn't enough," Brinkley confessed. "Watching someone you care about destroy themselves is the most helpless feeling in the world."
The couple, who married in 1985 and divorced in 1994, had what many considered a fairytale romance - until addiction took its toll.
A Decade of Heartache
Brinkley described how Joel's drinking gradually eroded their relationship:
- Missed family occasions due to intoxication
- Erratic behaviour that frightened their young daughter
- Broken promises to seek help
"I kept hoping each time would be the last time," she admitted. "But the cycle just continued."
Life After Divorce
Both stars have since moved on - Joel achieved sobriety in 2005, while Brinkley found happiness with architect Peter Cook (though that marriage also ended in divorce).
The supermodel remains philosophical: "Sometimes loving someone means knowing when to walk away. It was the hardest decision I ever made, but I had to protect our family."
