Anderson Cooper has announced that he has become a father. The news anchor made the announcement during last night’s Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN. Cooper began the segment by reflecting upon the challenging times we’re living in.
“It’s been a difficult time in all of our lives and there are certainly many hard days ahead,” the 52-year-old said. “It is, I think, especially important in these times of trouble to try to hold on to moments of joy and moments of happiness. Even as we mourn the loss of loved ones, we’re also blessed with new life and new love.”
He then said he wanted to share some “joyful news” of his own.
“On Monday, I became a father,” he said. “I’ve never actually said that before, out loud, and it still kind of astonishes me. I’m a dad. I have a son, and I want you to meet him.”
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He then shared a photo of his baby son on screen.
“This is Wyatt Cooper,” he said. “He is three days old. He is named after my father, who died when I was ten years old. I hope I can be as good a dad as he was.
“My son’s middle name is Morgan,” he continued. “It’s a family name on my mom’s side. I know my mom and dad liked the name Morgan because while I was going through her things recently I found a list they made 52 years ago when they were trying to think of names for me. Wyatt Morgan Cooper. My son.
“He was 7.2 lbs at birth,” he says, becoming emotional, “and he is sweet, and soft, and healthy and I am beyond happy.”
Related: Anderson Cooper breaks up with boyfriend of 9 years
He went on to say, “As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and I’m grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son’s birth.
“Most of all, I am eternally grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, and watched over him lovingly, and tenderly, and gave birth to him. It is an extraordinary blessing – what she and all surrogates give to families who can’t have children.
“My surrogate has a beautiful family of her own, a wonderfully supportive husband, and kids, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support they have given Wyatt and me. My family is blessed to have this family in our lives.”
Cooper’s news comes after the death from cancer of his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, last June. His older brother, Carter, took his own life in 1988, aged 23.
Cooper ended by saying, “I do wish my mom and dad and my brother, Carter, were alive to meet Wyatt, but I like to believe they can see him. I imagine them all together, arms around each other, smiling and laughing, happy to know that their love is alive in me and in Wyatt and that our family continues. New life and new love.”
Cooper’s colleague, Brian Seltzer, posted the segment to Twitter.
Welcome Wyatt Morgan Cooper! @AndersonCooper‘s son was born on Monday. New life, new love. pic.twitter.com/L3Af2TtYAq
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 1, 2020
At the same time, Cooper also posted a series of images to his Instagram with photos of his baby son.
View this post on Instagram
Among the first to congratulate Cooper was his good friend Andy Cohen, who also became a dad for the first time last year via a surrogate. Cohen’s son, Ben, recently celebrated his first birthday.
“Wyatt Cooper, you couldn’t have come at a better time! I know a friend who can’t wait to meet you!” said Cohen on Instagram.
Related: “I’m in love”: Andy Cohen’s baby boy is here!
Beneath Cooper’s Instagram posting, thousands offered further well wishes. Actor Leslie Jordan said, “This warms my heart and I’m so happy for you. Sending you both all my love.”
Fellow news anchor Don Lemon said, “So beautiful Anderson. Congratulations!”, while actress and journalist Kelly Ripa said, “Our hearts are filled with love……as @instasuelos and I and the kids patiently wait for the day that we can meet beautiful Wyatt in person. We love you so much … can’t stop the tears of joy.”
Black Pegasus
TRIGGER WARNING ahead: snowflakes will be MAD lol….
Here are my issues with this:
1. Anderson is 52yrs old. Why now as opposed to 10yrs ago when he was 42? Anderson will be a 70yr old man by the time that kid graduates from high school.
2. Why did Anderson use CNN’s network for his personal milestones? This should’ve been posted on his social media.
3. Just watch Don Lemon follow Cooper’s footsteps. But not because he wants to be a loving father like Anderson, but because he wants what Anderson has.. Lemon is a narcissist just like lying Cuomo.
Thanks and have a great day 🙂
Cam
Trump is older and has a young kid and is in his 70s.
FOX News correspondents continually talk about their personal lives, going to church, taking their kids wherever, all the time. I don’t see any complaints from you on that.
Weird that you then tried to bend this post so far that so you could have an excuse to attack two other Newscasters, the only thing they each have in common is that they’ve been critical of Trump. Ooops, precious, your agenda is showing.
Your trolling is so obvious, you shouldn’t get paid for it today.
AZ71
What a stupid comment. Plus it’s noteworthy Anderson’s mother lived to age 95. So its quite possible he will too. Congrats to him and stay out of everyone’s business. Funny how your type will scream about your “liberties” and your “right to freedom” but you’re the first one to chime in giving your oh so blessed opinion.
Bob LaBlah
Sweetheart you really do need to get out of that SRO you’ve been living in and breath some fresh air. Anderson Cooper is a world known and respected journalist and it is not unusual for journalist, the crew that keeps the show running smoothly or its producers to announce the birth of a child. It helps with the camaraderie amongst them.
I know there aren’t very many around you who even know who their fathers are but older men who have children later on in life tend to be better fathers because they have the time to spend with their kids. I know examples are few where you live but older men tend to accompany their children to the library, recitals and such and keep a closer watch than abandoned kids who grew up knowing of nothing but momma, a never ending stream of men whom for whatever reason don’t stick around with momma for very long and the jealousy it creates when they enter school and see other boys enjoying time with their biological fathers. I think it would be fantastic if Don Lemon followed in his footsteps because it would set back the stereotype of black men not being good fathers. Hopefully Mr. Lemon will look DEEPLY into what he is getting himself into (such as the cost of raising a kid in NYC) before he does it but I’m sure he can always pack up and leave with his pockets filled once he is ready to raise a kid.
Raymundo
My dad was 54 when I was born. Out of my friends I was the only one who actually liked their dad.
Cam
Remember when Cooper was a closet case and kept saying that the reason he never talked about his personal life was because he didn’t want to be the story.
This is just more proof that all of those bogus excuses are just closet cases being terrified. Glad he can be himself now instead of twisting himself into knots to stay closeted.
Bob LaBlah
Get over that guy that Anderson dumped that he was suppose to marry and didn’t after an alert tourist in NYC got a pic of him affectionately kissing another man while engage to Anderson. That was a leach he didn’t need in his life and he acted accordingly. No matter his decision to keep his bedroom life private you were by yourself then as you still are now. So whats the difference?
Chrisk
I was going to say i thought Anderson was a bit long in the tooth to be having a kid but then again the kid will be taken care of by nannies and will be set up for a great life ahead so who am I to judge.
Also using surrogates is only a game for the wealthy gays. I’m sure that baby cost a pretty penny. I still have allot more respect for gays that adopt instead of shopping for a baby.
jayceecook
And what about the straight singles and couples who “shop” for a baby? I mean they created the concept and their money helped advance the medicine behind it. Do they get a pass because their hetero?
Chrisk
Nope. I just said I respect any couples that adopt over surrogacy which is rich mans game anyways. Most people can’t cough up the $80, 000-$120,000 it cost.
jayceecook
@Chrisk Except that isn’t what you said. You specifically said “gays”. Let me remind you, “I still have allot more respect for gays that adopt instead of shopping for a baby.”
And this isn’t the first time you have said the same exact thing about LGBTQ people and surrogacy. Nor is this the first time I asked why you never mention straight people. But I believe this is the first time you’ve replied. Then lied.
rocknstan
As an only child, I have the perspective that Wyatt should have siblings, too.
jayceecook
As someone who had a sibling, my perspective is that it’s a double edged sword. One that can be a terrible, almost lifelong burden. And life doesn’t always give you a choice to remove yourself from the situation.
JClark
Having been in two longer-term relationships with only children, I agree. I’m sure there are exceptions to the rule, but these two guys were incredibly self-absorbed, one to the point of sociopathy. I’m sure it has a lot to do with parenting, though. The parents in both of these cases had showered their kids with material things their parents could hardly afford and let their kids get away with stunts most of us with siblings would never be allowed to do. The personality aberrations in common between these two seemed to be related to their shared experience of being excessively fawned over as children. Shame on me for not learning my lesson the first time. And best wishes that Wyatt Anderson turns out to be well-adjusted.
Bob LaBlah
Is it his wealth that has ignited you ratty as queens to crawl out of the woodwork and attack him or the fact that nearly all of you had no father and are jealous of his success? I don’t get it. He has done a heck of lot more for gay people than that useless Caitlyn Jenner the majority of you are so fond of.
JClark
Who’s so fond of Caitlyn Jenner? I think she’s worn out her welcome with even most of the trans community because of her regressive and self-serving politics.
Kieran
That is one of the most beautiful babies I’ve seen. Congratulations Anderson on becoming a father.
drumstick
I am happy that he’s happy. But…just because we *can* do something, doesn’t mean we *should* do it. What’s the carbon load on a rich, white baby? I thought we gays were meant to be God’s population control?
Kieran
The “carbon load” on a rich, white baby is far, far worse than the “carbon load” on a rich, black baby. That should be obvious to any racist knucklehead.
curiobi
@drumstick Wow, just wow. This is so wrong on so many levels. Seriously I think you should get some help.
Yes gay people may choose to adopt but that does not mean they do not want or are not entitled to have biological children.
I’m not even going to start on that dirst thing other than to say what kind of sick person sees a adorable new baby and even THINKS something like that never mind posts it. What the actual phuck is wrong with you. Seriously, GET HELP.
trsxyz
Surprised & delighted by this story. Best wished to both of them.
Kangol2
Congrats to Anderson Cooper! Little Wyatt is so cute! May he have a great life, full of love and happiness, and I hope Anderson Cooper does find a little sibling for Wyatt!
white-queer-african
Such happy news for a change during this horrible time. I am so happy for Anderson, but even more for the little bundle of joy Wyatt. A child brings so much joy. Ask me! I have a beautiful 8 year old son that was abandoned by his biological parents at birth and came into my life when he was 2 days old. Ignore the money or no money scenarios. I wish them both may blessings.
Terrycloth
When he said his best friend Andy Cohen ‘s baby. AC said aww I want one too. Its not a puppy. At least being multi millionaire. Kid you have everything and best nannies and schools…kid was born with a silver spoon in its mouth
ScottOnEarth
“As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child.”…….”But, as a rich, gay man, I realized I could just buy one.”
Raymundo
Wyatt looks so much like his daddy. I just wish he could have met his grandmother.