Model and actress Christie Brinkley has spoken candidly about her past marriage to music legend Billy Joel, revealing that their nearly decade-long relationship ended not out of lack of love, but due to personal struggles.

Brinkley admitted in a recent interview that she never wanted to leave Joel, but ultimately made the difficult decision to walk away because of his ongoing battle with alcohol. “It was heartbreaking,” she shared. “But his drinking became something I just couldn’t handle anymore.”

The couple, who married in 1985 and divorced in 1994, share a daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, and have remained publicly respectful of one another since their split. Brinkley’s revelations shed new light on the challenges behind their seemingly glamorous union.