Anderson Cooper Biography
Anderson Cooper is a well-known American broadcast journalist and political commentator, most famous for anchoring Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN. Beyond his work at CNN, he dedicated two decades to being a correspondent for CBS News’ 60 Minutes.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1989, Cooper kicked off his career by traveling the globe and reporting from conflict zones for Channel One News. In 1995, he joined ABC News as a correspondent, where he took on various roles, including co-anchor, reality show host, and fill-in for morning talk shows.
In 2001, Cooper made the switch to CNN, where he launched Anderson Cooper 360°, a show he still hosts today. He gained widespread recognition for his on-the-ground reporting during significant breaking news events, especially his coverage of Hurricane Katrina, which really elevated his national profile. His reporting on the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake earned him Haiti’s highest honor, the National Order of Honour and Merit. From 2011 to 2013, he also hosted the daytime talk show Anderson Live.
Throughout his impressive career, Cooper has racked up numerous awards, including 18 Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and an Edward R. Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club. Coming from the historic Vanderbilt family, he publicly came out as gay in 2012, becoming one of the most prominent openly gay journalists on American television. In 2016, he made history as the first openly LGBT journalist to moderate a U.S. presidential debate and has since received multiple GLAAD Media Awards.
Age
Anderson Cooper was born on June 3, 1967, in New York, New York, United States. Currently, she is 58 years old as of 2026. Furthermore, he holds American nationality.
Education
Anderson Cooper graduated from Yale University in 1989 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science. Additionally, he also studied Vietnamese at the University of Hanoi.
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Kids
Cooper made an announcement on April 30, 2020, revealing that his son Wyatt Morgan Cooper had been born on April 27 through a surrogate. Wyatt Morgan Cooper entered the world on a Monday, weighing 7 pounds and 2 ounces. Then, on February 10, 2022, Cooper shared with his CNN audience that he had become a father once again.
This time, his son was named Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper. Notably, Maisani is currently in the stages of adopting Cooper’s first son, Wyatt, leading to Wyatt’s future surname becoming Maisani-Cooper. In 2012, he publicly revealed his sexual orientation as gay, subsequently becoming “the preeminent openly gay journalist in American television.”
Anderson Cooper’s 60 Minutes | Leaving
In February 2026, Anderson Cooper shared the news that he wouldn’t be renewing his contract with CBS News and would be stepping down from his role as a correspondent on 60 Minutes. He mentioned that this choice was driven by his wish to spend more quality time with his family.
Earlier, in December 2025, he had renewed his contract with CNN and will keep his position as the anchor of Anderson Cooper 360°.
Cooper, renowned as a 60 Minutes correspondent, has also held the position of anchor for CNN’s captivating show, “Anderson Cooper 360˚,” a collaborative agreement between CBS News and CNN that has been in place since the 2006-07 season. Impressively, the 2022-23 season marks his remarkable 17th year with 60 Minutes, all the while maintaining his status as a dedicated full-time employee of CNN. In addition to his broadcasting achievements, Cooper has co-authored the immensely popular book titled “The Rainbow Comes and Goes.”
In his recent contributions to 60 Minutes, Cooper has demonstrated his commitment to timely and impactful journalism. Notably, he delivered a poignant report shedding light on the plight of “COVID Long Haulers,” individuals grappling with lingering symptoms from the coronavirus that persist for months. Another notable piece unveiled a discovery near Mobile, Alabama—a wreck believed to be the final slave ship to arrive on American shores.
Cooper’s work for 60 Minutes has garnered significant attention and accolades. His insightful profile of Jazz prodigy Joey Alexander and his moving narrative about inmates within an African prison creating Grammy-winning music stand out as recent examples of Emmy-winning pieces. Furthermore, his investigative report uncovering flaws in medical protective gowns brought attention to potential issues within America’s emergency epidemic stockpile.
Anderson Cooper Podcast
His journalistic endeavors have spanned a wide range of subjects, each leaving a lasting impact. An inquiry into the formaldehyde content of Lumber Liquidators laminate flooring uncovered alarmingly high levels of this known carcinogen, igniting a crucial debate on regulations surrounding such substances in American products. Cooper’s evocative depiction of the Afghanistan battle emerged as one of the most harrowing moments in the history of the Naval Special Warfare unit.
Cooper’s repertoire also includes several other remarkable pieces for 60 Minutes. Noteworthy among these is an Emmy-winning exploration into the use of rape as a weapon in Congo—a story that shed light on a deeply troubling issue. His report on the state of coral reefs off Cuba earned him an RTDNA Murrow award and an Overseas Press Club honor, illustrating his dedication to environmental reporting. Additionally, he delved into the complex landscape of the drug war in Mexico and conducted the first television interview with Joe Darby, a whistleblower associated with the Abu Ghraib scandal.
Anderson Cooper 360°
Presented on CNN every weeknight at 8 p.m. ET, “Anderson Cooper 360°” stands as a nightly news program dedicated to delving beyond surface-level headlines. Its mission is to provide in-depth coverage and present stories from a multitude of perspectives. Anderson Cooper, who became a part of the CNN team in December 2001, initially took on the role of weekend anchor.
However, his prominence grew, propelling him to the prime time slot in March 2003 after the Iraq War. Subsequently, he moved to a two-hour, late evening time slot in November 2005, a shift brought about by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
From the inception of “Anderson Cooper 360°,” Cooper has been at the forefront of covering virtually every significant global news event. He frequently reports directly from the scenes of these events. His coverage spans a wide range of occurrences, including presidential inaugurations, the tragic Newtown, CT school shooting, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, uprisings in the Middle East, and the aftermaths of devastating earthquakes in Japan and Haiti.
Notably, during the years 2007 and 2008, he embarked on a global journey for “Planet in Peril,” a documentary project focusing on critical issues jeopardizing the planet, its inhabitants, and its invaluable natural resources.
Anderson Cooper Salary
Cooper receives an annual salary ranging from $42,544 – $143,769. However, details about the exact amount of salary he earns are currently not available.
Anderson Cooper’s Net Worth
Cooper, a 60 Minutes correspondent and the anchor of CNN’ has an estimated net worth of $200 million.