Is Billy Joel’s wife Katie Lee Joel cheating on him?

Billy Joel, 59, has been married to 27 year-old Katie Lee Joel for four and a half years. They met at a bar when Katie was out with friends in New York and she claims that she didn’t even know who he was at first. In their Oprah appearance last year, Katie did most of the talking and explained that their relationship works because she’s mature for her age and Billy “has this job that’s allowed him to be really immature for a long time – rock star.” You could tell that Katie likes to take the reins in the relationship and Joel didn’t seem to mind. They were on the show promoting Katie’s new cook book at the time, The Comfort Table.

It looks like Katie might be up to more than just whipping up stuff in the kitchen and throwing dinner parties while Joel is away on tour. She’s rumored to be having an affair with a 36 year-old Israeli designer. Billy initially thought that Katie’s friend was gay, but he’s straight and the Enquirer has pictures of Katie dancing with the guy at a club where he looks like he’s interested in more than just friendship:

Billy Joel’s young wife has started a cozy relationship with a hunky male fashion designer, the Enquirer has learned exclusively.

The superstar musician… is being advised by close pals to dump gorgeous Katie Lee, 27, when his current concert tour ends in November, say sources.

For nearly a year, Katie Lee has been spotted out with Yigal Azrouel, a a handsome 36 year-old Israeli-born designer.

“Billy is furious,” a close source told The Enquirer. “His wife’s relationship with this guy is causing a split in his marriage.

“Initially, Billy thought it was great that she met a new friend, someone to occupy her time while he trudges through a long tour schedule. But now he’s become very concerned.”…

“She’s practically going around acting like Yigal’s girlfriend. It’s almost like she’s forgotten that she’s married to Billy Joel!” another source told The Enquirer.

“Billy initially thought Yigal – being a male fashion designer – was gay. But when someone told him the guy was heterosexual and had women hanging all over him, Billy began to worry.”

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, April 20, 2009]

We heard rumors two years ago that Billy and Katie were on the outs. Joel was heavily boozing at the time and Katie was said to be fed up with it. They worked through that rough patch, though. On Oprah Katie was proudly showed off how she’d decorated their Manhattan townhouse with the help of designer Nate Berkus and Joel was more than happy with his young wife’s skill in the kitchen. Somehow they’ve made it last this long. If Katie is really cheating with this guy though we may be hearing about a divorce soon. As Joel would sing, “everyone is so untrue.”

Katie Lee Joel and Billy Joel are shown outside Howard Stern’s wedding on 10/3/08. Katie is also shown at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on 2/22/09. Credit: WENN.com