Anderson Cooper: Age, Bio, Children, Wife, Brother, Salary and Net Worth
Anderson Cooper Biography & Wiki
Anderson Cooper is a prominent American broadcast journalist, political commentator, and author best known as the anchor of CNN’s flagship news program, Anderson Cooper 360°. A seasoned reporter with decades of global experience, Cooper joined CNN in 2001 and has become one of the most recognizable faces in American journalism. Before his tenure at CNN, he worked at ABC News, where he hosted the reality show The Mole and contributed to various news programs. Cooper began his career at Channel One News, covering international conflicts as a young war correspondent.
Age & Birthday
As of 2025, Anderson Cooper is 58 years old. He was born on June 3, 1967, in Manhattan, New York City. Each year, he celebrates his birthday on June 3rd.
Anderson Cooper Young
Before becoming a household name, a young Anderson Cooper was already blazing trails in journalism. After graduating from Yale, he made his own path into the industry—without formal journalism training—by traveling to conflict zones with a borrowed video camera. Footage he captured in Myanmar, Rwanda, and Bosnia eventually helped him land jobs in national news. His early work was bold, raw, and fearless, characteristics that still define his reporting today.
Education | High School & College
Anderson Cooper graduated from Yale University in 1989, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He also studied Vietnamese at Hanoi University, demonstrating an early interest in global affairs and international journalism.
Nationality and Ethnicity
Cooper is American by nationality. Born and raised in New York City, he is of white ethnicity, with deep roots in American history through his famous maternal lineage—the Vanderbilt family.
Height | How Tall Is He?
Anderson Cooper stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall (1.77 meters). He has a slim, athletic build and is often recognized for his silver hair and professional appearance on camera.
Family Background | Parents & Early Life
Anderson was born to Gloria Vanderbilt, the iconic heiress, artist, and fashion designer, and Wyatt Emory Cooper, an author and screenwriter. His father passed away in 1978 during heart surgery, while his mother died in 2019 from stomach cancer.
He had a beloved older brother, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, who tragically died by suicide in 1988 at age 23. Gloria later explored her son’s death and its aftermath in her memoir, A Mother’s Story.
Brother
Anderson had one biological brother, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, whose tragic death has deeply impacted his life. Carter died by suicide in 1988 at the age of 23, an event Anderson has openly discussed as a defining and heartbreaking chapter of his personal history. He also has half-siblings from his mother Gloria Vanderbilt’s earlier marriages, though they have remained largely out of the public eye.
Is Anderson Cooper Married? | Partner and Personal Life
Anderson Cooper is openly gay, having come out publicly in 2012 via a statement to journalist Andrew Sullivan. He was in a long-term relationship with nightclub owner Benjamin Maisani, though they separated in 2018.
In April 2020, Cooper announced the birth of his first son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, born via surrogate. Despite their split, Cooper and Maisani are co-parenting their son and continue to maintain a close bond. In 2022, Cooper welcomed a second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, also via surrogate.
Anderson Cooper Husband
Anderson Cooper is not married, but he has had notable long-term relationships. His most high-profile partnership was with Benjamin Maisani, a nightclub owner. Though the couple split in 2018, they remain close and are co-parenting Cooper’s two sons together. While they are no longer romantic partners, they maintain a loving and stable home life for their children.
Anderson Cooper Children
Anderson Cooper is the proud father of two sons, both born via surrogate:
- Wyatt Morgan Cooper, born in April 2020, named after Anderson’s late father.
- Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, born in February 2022.
He shares parenting responsibilities with his ex-partner Benjamin Maisani, and the two have expressed their intention to raise their children as co-parents, emphasizing love, communication, and stability.
Is Anderson Cooper Gay?
Yes, Anderson Cooper is openly gay. He publicly came out in 2012, becoming one of the most prominent openly gay broadcast journalists in the U.S. His decision to come out was praised for its honesty and impact, particularly in a field where few high-profile anchors were publicly out at the time. Since then, Cooper has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen—the Bravo host and pop culture impresario—are close friends and frequent collaborators. Their friendship has become a beloved part of pop culture, with the duo often co-hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live together since 2017. Known for their playful banter, on-air antics, and occasional tequila shots, the two share a genuine friendship that started years ago and has turned into a professional partnership. While many fans have speculated about a romantic relationship, both Cooper and Cohen have made it clear they’re just best friends—though they once went on a blind date decades ago (that didn’t work out).
Anderson Cooper and the Vanderbilt Legacy
He is a direct descendant of the Vanderbilt family, one of America’s most storied dynasties known for its wealth and social influence in the 19th century. His mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, was a renowned fashion designer, artist, and heiress. Despite this prestigious lineage, Cooper has long asserted that he did not receive a significant inheritance, choosing instead to build his wealth through hard work and journalism. He explored this family history in his bestselling book, Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, co-written with historian Katherine Howe.
Don Lemon Tonight 2021 | Anderson Cooper 360° 2021
In 2021, Anderson Cooper continued to host Anderson Cooper 360°, CNN’s flagship primetime news program, delivering in-depth reporting and analysis on major U.S. and global events. That same year, Don Lemon Tonight followed Cooper’s program in the evening lineup, giving CNN viewers a strong duo of trusted journalists during breaking news cycles. Their programming was critical during the aftermath of the Capitol riots, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the early months of the Biden administration.
Anderson Cooper and Chris Sununu
In interviews with New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Cooper has addressed a range of topics, from state-level COVID-19 responses to national Republican Party politics. Known for his tough but fair questioning, Cooper has used his platform to press Sununu on hot-button issues, including political extremism, public health, and the direction of the GOP.
Anderson Cooper and Kamala Harris
As Vice President Kamala Harris rose to national prominence, Anderson Cooper conducted several interviews with her—most notably during her 2020 campaign and early days in office. These interviews tackled pressing issues such as racial justice, immigration, and the federal pandemic response.
Anderson Cooper and Michael Fanone
Anderson Cooper interviewed Michael Fanone, the former D.C. Metropolitan Police officer who was brutally attacked during the January 6th Capitol insurrection. The emotionally powerful interviews gave Fanone a national platform to speak out about the trauma he endured and the need for accountability. Cooper’s empathetic and direct interviewing style helped bring clarity and urgency to Fanone’s story, which deeply resonated with the public.
Anderson Cooper Hit
He has occasionally gone viral or been in the spotlight for heated moments, but there are no widely reported incidents where he was physically “hit.” However, during his international field reporting—especially in war zones or during chaotic protests—he has been in danger, including being shoved or jostled. Most notably, during Egypt’s Arab Spring protests in 2011, he was attacked by a mob while covering demonstrations in Cairo.
Anderson Cooper New Year’s Eve
Anderson Cooper’s New Year’s Eve broadcasts on CNN have become a fan-favorite tradition. Co-hosting with Andy Cohen, the duo brings a hilarious and often unpredictable energy to live coverage from Times Square. From viral moments and celebrity interviews to their infamous on-air cocktails, the special is known for being one of the most entertaining and informal live TV events of the year. CNN slightly toned down the alcohol in 2022, but the show remains a beloved, light-hearted way to ring in the new year.
Career at CNN | Anderson Cooper 360°
Since joining CNN in 2001, Cooper has become a respected voice in broadcast journalism. His show, Anderson Cooper 360°, offers in-depth reporting on global issues, politics, and breaking news. Known for his calm demeanor and incisive interviews, Cooper has reported on major events such as:
- Hurricane Katrina
- The Haiti earthquake
- Multiple U.S. elections
- War zones in the Middle East and Africa
He also hosts Anderson Cooper Full Circle, a digital streaming program on CNN’s platforms, offering a behind-the-scenes take on the day’s headlines.
Previous Work at ABC and Channel One News
Before joining CNN, Cooper worked at ABC News, where he contributed to programs like World News Now, 20/20, and World News Tonight. He also briefly hosted the reality game show The Mole.
Earlier in his career, Cooper worked at Channel One News, reporting from war-torn regions such as:
- Somalia
- Bosnia
- Rwanda
- South Africa
- Cambodia
- Haiti
He forged his own path into journalism by creating news segments himself, often entering dangerous regions with nothing more than a borrowed camera and a passion for storytelling.
Anderson Cooper Salary
As one of CNN’s leading anchors, Cooper earns an estimated annual salary of $12 million. His income includes television appearances, book deals, and speaking engagements. (Note: You previously mentioned $100,000, but publicly reported sources consistently estimate his salary much higher.)
Net Worth
Anderson Cooper has a reported net worth of approximately $60 million as of 2025. While born into the wealthy Vanderbilt family, he has stated publicly that he did not receive a large inheritance. Most of his wealth stems from his journalism career, best-selling books, and media projects.
