Anderson Cooper Biography
Anderson Cooper is a well-known American broadcast journalist, political commentator, and television anchor, most famous for hosting CNN’s flagship news program, Anderson Cooper 360°. In addition to his work at CNN, he dedicated two decades to being a correspondent for CBS News’ highly regarded program, 60 Minutes.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1989, Cooper set off on international adventures, reporting from war zones and conflict areas for Channel One News. In 1995, he joined ABC News as a correspondent and took on various roles within the network, including co-anchor, reality show host, and substitute morning talk show host.
In 2001, Cooper made the move to CNN, where he launched Anderson Cooper 360°, a show he still anchors today. He gained widespread recognition for his immersive, on-the-ground reporting during significant breaking news events, especially his coverage of Hurricane Katrina, which really boosted his public profile. His reporting on the devastating 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 been honored with numerous accolades, including 18 Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and an Edward R. Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club.
Coming from the prominent 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 received multiple GLAAD Media Awards for his contributions to journalism and representation.
Anderson Cooper Age
How old is Cooper? He is 59 years old as of 2026. Cooper was born on June 3, 1967, in Manhattan, New York City, in the United States of America. In addition, he commends his birthday on the 3rd of June each year.
Anderson Cooper Education
He was enrolled and graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of arts degree in political science. Besides, he also joined the University of Hanoi where he studied Vietnamese.
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Anderson Cooper Nationality
Cooper is of American nationality and citizenship. In addition, Anderson was born and grew up in Manhattan, New York City, in the United States of America. Besides, he belongs to the white heritage.
Anderson Cooper Height | Measurements
Anderson stands approximately at the height of 5 feet 10 inches (Approx. 1.77 m) tall, as Anderson is a man of average stature. However, he has not disclosed any information regarding his other body measurements in the public domain.
Anderson Cooper Family | Parents
Anderson was born and grew up in Manhattan under the loving care of his late mother Gloria Vanderbilt and his father Wyatt Emory. Besides, Wyatt served as an American actor, author, and screenwriter while her mother, Gloria was an artist, heiress, artist, and fashion designer of the most popular Vanderbilt shipping and railroad fortune. Wyatt was the fourth husband of Vanderbilt heiress and socialite, Gloria Vanderbilt. His father died on January 5, 1978, at the age of 50 while her mother passed away on June 17, 2019, at the age of 95. Cooper grew up along with his three siblings. Besides, his blood brother is known as Carter Vanderbilt who died on July 22, 1988, by jumping from the 14th-floor terrace of her mother’s penthouse apartment at the age of 23.
Anderson Cooper Wife | Children | Partner
Anderson is openly gay. Besides, this came to the limelight after he gave Andrew Sullivan permission to publish an email that described his sexuality. Nevertheless, Cooper and his longtime partner Benjamin Maisani divorced in March 2018. Hence, he reported the birth of his child, Wyatt Morgan, on April 2 via surrogate. Nonetheless, Cooper and his ex-boyfriend plan to co-parent their child. Therefore, his current marital status is under consideration.
Children
On April 30, 2020, Anderson Cooper joyfully announced the arrival of his first son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, who was born via surrogate just a few days earlier on April 27, 2020. During a CNN Town Hall broadcast of Anderson Cooper 360°, he shared his excitement about stepping into fatherhood for the very first time. He took a moment to express his gratitude to the surrogate mother for her incredible care and dedication throughout the pregnancy. Later, he shared on Instagram that Wyatt weighed in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces at birth.
Even though Cooper and his former partner, Benjamin Maisani, had moved on from their romantic relationship, they decided to co-parent Wyatt together, with Maisani being present for the birth. Wyatt’s name honors Cooper’s late father, Wyatt Cooper, while his middle name, Morgan, is a tribute to his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt’s family name.
Fast forward to February 10, 2022, when Cooper excitedly revealed on CNN that he had welcomed a second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper. He also mentioned that Benjamin Maisani was in the process of legally adopting Wyatt, with plans for Wyatt to take on the Maisani-Cooper surname.
Anderson Cooper Salary
He earns his income from his current role as a CNN News political commentator, correspondent, and journalist. Therefore, his annual average salary is $350,000 as of 2026.
Anderson Cooper’s Net Worth
Most of his fortune has been accumulated from his journalism career. Therefore, Cooper has an estimated net worth of $9 million as of 2026.
Anderson Cooper CNN News
Cooper works as a political commentator and columnist for CNN News station. Moreover, he serves on the CNN News podcast Anderson Cooper 360° as the main anchor and journalist. Furthermore, he also serves as the host for Anderson Cooper Full Circe, a streaming show that broadcasts live on CNN digital programs on weekdays. Besides, he came to CNN News in 2001. Prior to joining CNN News, he served at ABC News, where he filled in as host and journalist of the channels reality program The Mole. Moreover, he broadcasted the network’s overnight newscast World News Now, and was a columnist for World News This evening and 20/20. Before joining ABC News, he served at Channel One News, where he filled in as the chief international columnist. While there, he reported and produced stories, from conflicts in Cambodia, Israel Bosnia, Israel, South Africa, and Somalia. He began his journalism carer in 1992 and has served in more than forty nations where he reported and covered so many major news occasions.
