NEW YORK — Alexa Ray Joel, daughter of legendary musician Billy Joel, has provided a health update on her father, who recently revealed a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). According to an interview with Fox News Digital, Alexa Ray said her father is “sharp as a tack” and has shown no signs of the cognitive difficulties that can be associated with the condition.
The singer-songwriter, 76, disclosed in May that he was diagnosed with NPH, a rare brain disorder in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull, causing pressure on the brain, as reported by the NZ Herald. This condition had been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance. As a result, Joel canceled all his scheduled concerts through 2026 to focus on his recovery.
In a statement to The Associated Press in July, Joel said he felt “fine” and reassured fans not to worry. He described the feeling of his condition as “like being on a boat” and noted that while it “sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling,” it was “scary.”
Alexa Ray Joel, who is also a musician, said her father has been actively working on his health. “He’s doing his physical therapy three to five days a week, which is really, really important for him right now,” she told Fox News Digital. She also noted that he has adjusted his diet, opting for healthier choices.
Joel’s diagnosis has brought awareness to NPH, a condition that can be difficult to diagnose but is often treatable, typically with the surgical installation of a shunt to drain excess fluid. The singer’s family, including his wife Alexis Roderick, has remained “hopeful for his recovery,” as noted in a social media post from May reported by Fox News.
