Katie Lee Joel

Katie Lee Joel

Katie Lee Joel at the premiere of Julie & Julia held at the Mann Village Theatre in Westwood (7/27)

Billy Joel and his wife Katie Lee on The Oprah Winfrey Show (3/24)

Billy Joel -- or "William" if you're a pretentious snob -- and his wife Katie Lee have split up. The two have been married since 2004. Rather than just tell you their age difference, I thought I'd illustrate it in trivia form: By the time Katie Lee was born in 1981, Billy had already released seven albums. Damn. A joint statement the couple released today read:

"After nearly five years of marriage, Billy Joel and Katie Lee Joel have decided to separate. This decision is a result of much thoughtful consideration. Billy and Katie remain caring friends with admiration and respect for each other."

Of course this comes as a real shock to those of us who saw Billy and Katie on Oprah earlier this year. They looked practically inseparable.