Billy Joel Documentary Reveals New Details of His Suicide Attempts

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For the very first time, Billy Joel has candidly discussed two instances of attempted suicide as he battled deep emotional turmoil. In his latest documentary, this legendary musician shares insights into the personal hardships he endured after a complex relationship. He also speaks about how these experiences significantly influenced both his life and musical journey.

Warning: The following contains discussions of suicide and mental health struggles.

Billy Joel shares he attempted suicide twice in recent documentary

In the recently released documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” premiered on June 4, 2025, at the Tribeca Festival in New York, the renowned musician opens up about a difficult period in his youth, including two suicide attempts. The film offers a deeply moving look into Joel’s battles.

In his twenties, Joel belonged to the band Attila and shared a living space with Jon Small, Jon’s wife Elizabeth Weber, and their child. As time went on, Joel grew romantic feelings for Elizabeth, eventually telling Jon, “I have fallen in love with your wife.” This admission not only broke apart the band but also damaged the relationship between Joel and Jon. (via PEOPLE)

Following the end of his relationship, Joel’s existence started to deteriorate drastically. With no permanent home and consumed by despair, he resorted to sleeping in laundromats and grappling with thoughts of self-harm. He reminisces, “I realized, ‘This is it. I don’t want to live any longer.’ I was simply overwhelmed with pain and it felt as though every tomorrow would resemble the terrible today. So, I decided that ending my life was the best course of action.

Joel’s sister, Judy Molinari, attempted to aid him by providing sleeping medication, but he ended up overdosing and slipped into a coma for several days. Despite making it through the initial incident, Joel’s hardships persisted. In another instance, he consumed an entire bottle of lemon Pledge, but Jon stepped in and rushed him to the hospital. Reflecting on this event, Joel expressed gratitude, stating, “Even though our relationship was strained, Jon effectively saved my life.

After these attempts, I found myself checking into a mental health facility for observation – a decision that proved to be pivotal in my recovery journey. Reflecting on this experience, I realized I could harness all those emotions and transform them into music. The documentary about my story will premiere on HBO in July.

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2025-06-06 15:40