Anderson Cooper Wikipedia | Biography
Anderson Cooper is a prominent American broadcast journalist, political commentator, and television anchor, best known for hosting CNN’s flagship news program, Anderson Cooper 360°. Beyond his work at CNN, he spent two decades as a correspondent for CBS News’ esteemed program, 60 Minutes.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1989, Cooper embarked on a journey filled with international reporting, covering war zones and conflict areas for Channel One News. In 1995, he joined ABC News, where he took on various roles, including co-anchor, reality show host, and substitute morning talk show host.
In 2001, Cooper transitioned to CNN, where he launched Anderson Cooper 360°, a show he continues to anchor today. He gained significant recognition for his immersive, on-the-ground reporting during major breaking news events, particularly his coverage of Hurricane Katrina, which significantly raised his public profile. His reporting on the catastrophic 2010 Haiti earthquake earned him the National Order of Honour and Merit, Haiti’s highest national honor.
From 2011 to 2013, Cooper also hosted the syndicated daytime talk show, Anderson Live. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including 18 Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and an Edward R. Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club.
Coming from the illustrious Vanderbilt family, Cooper publicly came out as gay in 2012, becoming one of the most visible openly gay journalists on American television. In 2016, he made history as the first openly LGBT person to moderate a U.S. presidential debate and has since been honored with multiple GLAAD Media Awards for his contributions to journalism and representation.
Anderson Cooper Age
So, how old is Anderson Cooper? As of 2026, he’s 59 years old. He was born on June 3, 1967, in Manhattan, New York City, USA. Every year, he celebrates his birthday on June 3rd.
Anderson Cooper Education
Anderson graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He also spent some time at the University of Hanoi, where he learned Vietnamese.
Anderson Cooper Nationality
Cooper holds American nationality and citizenship. He was born and raised in Manhattan, New York City, and he identifies with white heritage.
Anderson Cooper Height | Measurements
Anderson stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall (approximately 1.77 m), which is pretty average for a guy. However, he hasn’t shared any details about his other body measurements publicly.
Anderson Cooper Family | Parents
Anderson grew up in Manhattan, nurtured by his late mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, and his father, Wyatt Emory. Wyatt was an American actor, author, and screenwriter, while Gloria was a renowned artist, heiress, and fashion designer, known for her connection to the Vanderbilt shipping and railroad fortune. Wyatt was Gloria Vanderbilt’s fourth husband. Sadly, his father passed away on January 5, 1978, at the age of 50, and his mother followed on June 17, 2019, at 95. Anderson has three siblings, including his brother Carter Vanderbilt, who tragically died at 23 after jumping from the 14th-floor terrace of their mother’s penthouse on July 22, 1988.
Anderson Cooper’s Personal Life | Partner
Anderson Cooper is openly gay, a fact that gained public attention when he allowed Andrew Sullivan to share an email revealing his sexuality. In March 2018, he and his long-term partner, Benjamin Maisani, decided to part ways. Shortly after, on April 2, he joyfully announced the arrival of his son, Wyatt Morgan, who was born via surrogate. Despite their separation, Cooper and Maisani are committed to co-parenting their child, leaving his current relationship status a bit of a mystery.
Children
On April 30, 2020, Anderson Cooper joyfully shared the news of his first son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, who made his debut into the world just a few days earlier on April 27, 2020, through a surrogate. During a CNN Town Hall episode of Anderson Cooper 360°, he couldn’t contain his excitement about becoming a dad for the first time. He took a heartfelt moment to thank the surrogate mother for her amazing care and commitment throughout the pregnancy. Later, he posted on Instagram that Wyatt weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces at birth.
Although Cooper and his former partner, Benjamin Maisani, had moved on from their romantic relationship, they chose to co-parent Wyatt together, with Maisani being there for the birth. Wyatt’s name is a tribute to Cooper’s late father, Wyatt Cooper, while his middle name, Morgan, honors his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt’s family name.
Fast forward to February 10, 2022, when Cooper excitedly announced on CNN that he had welcomed a second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper. He also shared that Benjamin Maisani was in the process of legally adopting Wyatt, with plans for Wyatt to take on the Maisani-Cooper surname.
CNN
Anderson Cooper is a prominent American broadcast journalist, political commentator, and television anchor, best known for hosting CNN’s flagship news program, Anderson Cooper 360°. Beyond his work at CNN, he spent two decades as a correspondent for CBS News’ esteemed program, 60 Minutes.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1989, Cooper embarked on a journey filled with international reporting, covering war zones and conflict areas for Channel One News. In 1995, he joined ABC News, where he took on various roles, including co-anchor, reality show host, and substitute morning talk show host.
In 2001, Cooper transitioned to CNN, where he launched Anderson Cooper 360°, a show he continues to anchor today. He gained significant recognition for his immersive, on-the-ground reporting during major breaking news events, particularly his coverage of Hurricane Katrina, which significantly raised his public profile. His reporting on the catastrophic 2010 Haiti earthquake earned him the National Order of Honour and Merit, Haiti’s highest national honor.
From 2011 to 2013, Cooper also hosted the syndicated daytime talk show, Anderson Live. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including 18 Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and an Edward R. Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club.
Coming from the illustrious Vanderbilt family, Cooper publicly came out as gay in 2012, becoming one of the most visible openly gay journalists on American television. In 2016, he made history as the first openly LGBT person to moderate a U.S. presidential debate and has since been honored with multiple GLAAD Media Awards for his contributions to journalism and representation.
Anderson Cooper Salary
Cooper makes his living as a political commentator, correspondent, and journalist for CNN. His annual salary averages around $250,000.
Anderson Cooper’s Wealth
A significant portion of Cooper’s wealth comes from his successful journalism career, leading to an estimated net worth of $8 million.