Billy Joel, Young Wife No. 3 Splitting Up

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After months of speculation that their marriage was in rocky territory and amid whispers of infidelity, Billy Joel and his much younger third wife, Katie Lee, have announced they are calling it quits after five years.

"This decision is the result of much thought and consideration," said a joint statement to the Daily News. "Billy and Katie remain caring friends, with admiration and respect for each other."

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There have been reports in recent months that Lee, 27, has been cozying up to suave fashion designer Yigal Azrouel, 36. But his rep says the "decision to separate was absolutely unrelated to Yigal," and friends of the couple say the age gap was just too wide for it to ever succeed.

"It was really the age difference that caught up with them," said a friend of the couple. "They grew apart. She is very career-oriented. She loves going out. She loves the city. When Billy isn't touring, he'd rather be on Long Island with his motorcycles and boats."

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One ally of Lee's warned the Daily News not to count Joel out in the unfaithful department. "Billy is no one to talk. It wasn't like he was a monk when he was on tour."

But a friend of Joel insisted "he's always remained faithful to Katie. When he was touring with Elton John, he flew home almost every night. He rarely stayed in a hotel room. When would he have done this supposed fooling around?"

Joel reportedly secured a prenuptial agreement before he and Lee married in October 2004. His nine-year marriage to Christie Brinkley, the mother of their daughter Alexa, ended in 1994. His first marriage, to Elizabeth Weber, also lasted nine years ... in 1982.

Recently, the 'Piano Man' has been living on Long Island, trading time between two mansions there. Lee, on the other hand, has been living in the duo's Manhattan apartment.

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2009-06-17 17:26:23

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