Nation & World News

Anderson Cooper announces the birth of his child

The anchor announced the news Thursday night
By Stephanie Toone
May 1, 2020

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper made a special announcement after the conclusion of the CNN coronavirus town hall Thursday night.

After the Thursday newscast, Cooper offered a positive update on his growing family: he’s now a dad.

The journalist said that a surrogate had given birth to his son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, who weighed 7.2 pounds.

Cooper, 52, said that at a time when so many people are in distress and mourning losses, it was a blessing to have a new life and love.

“On Monday, I became a father,” Cooper said. “I never actually said that before out loud, and it still kind of astonishes me. I am a dad. I have a son, and I want you to meet him.”

He also expressed his gratitude for the surrogate who had carried his son.

“As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child,” said Cooper, who shared photos of Wyatt at the end of the broadcast and on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

I want to share with you some joyful news. On Monday, I became a father. This is Wyatt Cooper. He is three days old. He is named after my father, who died when I was ten. I hope I can be as good a dad as he was. My son's middle name is Morgan. It's a family name on my mom's side. I know my mom and dad liked the name morgan because I recently 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, and he is sweet, and soft, and healthy and I am beyond happy. 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 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 cant 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 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.

A post shared by andersoncooper (@andersoncooper) on

His son was named after his father, who died when Cooper was 10 years old, according to the Instagram post, and that the boy’s middle name, Morgan, came from the family of his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt. Cooper said that his parents had considered naming him Morgan.

“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,” Cooper said, becoming emotional.

Cooper has been a stalwart of CNN for 20 years, and he is the current host of “Anderson Cooper 360,” which is part of the network’s prime-time lineup. He is also a correspondent for “60 Minutes” on CBS.

He solidified his journalism prowess by covering Hurricane Katrina and has been a constant presence in CNN’s coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is, I think, especially important in these times of trouble to try to hold onto moments of joy and moments of happiness,” Cooper said, adding that his son “is sweet and soft and healthy. And I am beyond happy.”

About the Author

Stephanie has been telling stories her whole life. Her interest in the written word started with short stories and journal entries about run-ins with classroom bullies as a child and matured to writing for her high school newspaper over the years. She has written and edited for The Tennessean, Augusta Chronicle and American City & County.

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