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.
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.”
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