"That husband of yours has been having an affair with my teenage daughter": Christie Brinkley details exes' betrayals in new memoir

Christie Brinkley is opening up about the painful moments in her past marriages in her new memoir, Uptown Girl. One of the most shocking stories she shares begins with a stranger approaching her at a high school graduation where she was to give a commencement speech in 2006. The man proceeded to tell her about her then-husband, Peter Cook,

“I need to tell you that that arrogant husband of yours has been having an affair with my teenage daughter, and he won’t knock it off.”

Brinkley, stunned, could not respond. It was a moment that changed her life.

The 71-year-old model is known for her beauty and success, but her private life was often full of struggle. In her book, she talks honestly about what it was like to be married to musician Billy Joel and architect Peter Cook. Both marriages ended in heartbreak, and she now wants to share what really happened.

In Uptown Girl, Brinkley writes about how she tried to protect her children and keep her family together. She stayed silent for years but now wants to be honest. The book tells the story of her marriages, the betrayal she faced, and how she tried to move forward.

What led to the end of Christie Brinkley's marriage with Billy Joel?

Christie Brinkley married Billy Joel in 1985. She says she was fully committed to making the relationship work. However, she writes that Joel’s drinking was a major problem. She remembers moments that were hard to ignore, like the time he ate spaghetti straight from the stove while drunk, then blamed his bandmates for stealing it.

Brinkley says she didn’t tell anyone about these problems, not even close friends. She hoped she could help Joel through his struggles. She believed that alcoholism was a disease and wanted to support him. She even said that the "other woman" in that union was alcohol.

Even though she stayed for years, the marriage eventually ended. They divorced in 1994. She says Joel denies having had any affairs, and she believes him. But his drinking became too much. She says the relationship stopped working, and that led to the split.

Read More: “Not for long” — Fans react as Agent 00 gets rudely kicked out of Publix while trying to buy food

What happened with Peter Cook?

Christie Brinkley married Peter Cook in 1996. Their marriage ended after eight years when she found out he was having an affair. In her book, she recalls the shocking way she found out about his infidelity. A man came up to her at a graduation and said that her husband was cheating on her with his teenage daughter.

She says she froze when she heard the news. Cook was in the audience, and when she looked at him, he was already shaking his head “no.” At that moment, she says she knew it was true. She felt like a stereotype: an older woman with a younger husband who had cheated.

Brinkley later confirmed the affair, and Cook admitted it. Their divorce and custody battle became public. They fought over their daughter Sailor and Brinkley’s son Jack, whom Cook had adopted. She describes their relationship as the most difficult one of her life.

Read More: Internet reacts as Elon Musk volunteers to be in a ‘100 Men vs. 1 Gorilla’ video if MrBeast makes one

How did Christie Brinkley cope after the betrayals?

Christie Brinkley says she kept her pain to herself for a long time. She didn’t want to make her personal problems public. Her focus was on protecting her children and trying to keep their lives stable. She didn’t speak about Joel’s drinking or Cook’s affair until years later.

She says the worst kind of loneliness is being in a relationship that no longer works. She stayed in both marriages as long as she could, hoping things would improve. But in the end, she had to make hard decisions for her own well-being and for her children.

Now, Brinkley says she has a good relationship with Joel. Though he lives in Florida, he visits their daughter Alexa, and they remain friendly. She does not have a relationship with Cook but continues to raise her children with care.

Read more: Kim Soo-hyun is reportedly being sued for 3 billion KRW in damages by advertisers due to his link with the Kim Sae-ron controversy

Christie Brinkley’s memoir Uptown Girl gives readers a closer look at the struggles she faced behind the scenes. From dealing with a partner’s addiction to being told about an affair in public, her experiences were difficult and personal. She stayed silent for years but now wants to share the truth.

Christie Brinkley's story is about pain, but also about learning and moving forward. By telling her side, Brinkley hopes others might find strength in their own struggles. Despite the heartbreak, she has continued to raise her children and build a peaceful life.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback