Christie Brinkley reveals 'painful' reason behind Billy Joel divorce despite her desire to stay together

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Christie Brinkley has opened up 31 years later about the deep emotional pain she felt as her nine-year marriage to Billy Joel came to an end in 1994.

In her upcoming memoir 'Uptown Girl', the 71-year-old model shares how Joel’s drinking played a role in their separation, despite her desire to stay together.

Christie Brinkley says Billy Joel's drinking was 'bigger than both of us'

Christie Brinkley explained that ending the relationship was never her intention, but she felt she had no choice because of Billy Joel’s behavior.

“To be clear. I never wanted to end things with Billy. But his drinking was bigger than the both of us,” wrote Christie Brinkley in her memoir, according to People.

“In the end, when the relationship isn't functioning the way you want it to be anymore – that's the worst kind of loneliness because you just can't make it work together and that's painful,” Brinkley added.

But even after more than 30 years since their divorce, the two have remained on good terms while co-parenting their daughter, Alexa Rae Joel, who is now 39.

“He lives mainly in Florida so we don't see him as much as when he lived in Sag Harbor, but when he comes by to see Alexa, he'll come in and say hello,” Brinkley said.

Christie Brinkley recalls Billy Joel's sunburned appearance when they met

Christie Brinkley shared details about the first time she met Billy Joel, saying he didn’t appear like a typical rock star at the time.

“He definitely didn't look like a rock star,” wrote Brinkley per the outlet.

“The man was sunburned to a crisp, his face the same colour as cranberries and unctuous with oil, which he'd undoubtedly slathered on to soothe the burn, topped by what I like to call 'the Long Island bubble': a carapace of curly shellacked hair popular in the 1980s in parts of suburban New York," Brinkley added of the 'Piano Man' singer.

Christie Brinkley says she was 'undeniably attracted' to Billy Joel on stage

Despite his appearance, Christie Brinkley admitted that Billy Joel’s personality and musical talent won her.

“We laughed like you couldn't believe,” Brinkley recalled. “But he was also sensitive and he did all the old-fashioned things, the flowers, the notes and the poems and the songs."

"He was going into the recording studio and he was writing all these songs and saying, ‘This one's for you.’ How could I not fall in love with him?”

Brinkley added, “When I heard him sing on stage. I found myself undeniably attracted to this physically hot and charismatic man.”