Now that it has been officially confirmed that Billy Joel and his third wife Katie Lee Joel have separated, the Piana Man's daughter and ex-wife are speaking out on the split.

Joel has one child, Alexa Ray Joel, from his marriage to supermodel Christie Brinkley. The 23-year-old spoke to OK! about her father's announcement, "He was the first person that told me. Being who he is, he can't just trust everybody and you know, I like knowing that my dad can talk to me in the same way that I come to him... I'm just supporting him right now."

But Alexa says she wasn't surprised by the news, "I have a pretty good women's intuition so I could tell. I know my dad very well. So I'm behind him, you know?"

And Christie Brinkley, who was married to Joel from 1985 to 1994 told Extra, "I'm very sad that this has happened and I wish them both happiness... he's a wonderful father to Alexa. We've remained friends. We've been friends for many, many years, so obviously I'm very sad that this has happened and I wish them both happiness."

Katie Lee was only 23-years-old in 2004 when she married then 55-year-old Joel. Daughter Alexa Ray was 18 and served as the maid-of-honor.


Photo galleries: Billy Joel / Katie Lee / Christie Brinkley / Alexa Ray

Billy Joel's second wife Chrisie Brinkley (left) and daughter Alexa Ray (right):



Billy & Katie Lee in May 2009: