Anderson Cooper Bio, Age, Height, Children, CNN, Salary, Net Worth
Anderson Cooper is a prominent American journalist, television anchor, and correspondent recognized for credible global reporting. He anchors Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN and serves as a correspondent for 60 Minutes on CBS. Born on June 3, 1967, in New York City, Cooper is the son of writer Wyatt Emory Cooper and fashion icon Gloria Vanderbilt. Therefore, he grew up surrounded by media and culture. He later studied political science at Yale University, graduating in 1989. Soon after, he began his journalism career with Channel One News, reporting from conflict zones and developing his signature field-based reporting style.
After gaining experience, Cooper joined ABC News as a correspondent and co-anchor. However, his career changed significantly when he moved to CNN in 2001. He later launched Anderson Cooper 360°, which blends live reporting, analysis, and breaking news coverage. As a result, he became one of the most trusted faces in cable news. Additionally, Cooper has covered major global events, including natural disasters, wars, and U.S. elections, often reporting directly from the scene.
Beyond television, Cooper hosts the successful podcast All There Is with Anderson Cooper, which focuses on grief, healing, and personal growth. Moreover, he co-hosts CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Andy Cohen, reaching millions annually. Recently, Cooper signed a new CNN contract, confirming his long-term role at the network.
Anderson Cooper Age | How Old is Anderson Cooper?
Anderson Cooper is 58 years old as of 2026 and remains active in broadcast journalism. He was born on June 3, 1967, in New York City. Therefore, he celebrates his birthday every year in early June. Moreover, Cooper continues anchoring Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN and reporting for 60 Minutes. Even at 58, he delivers trusted news coverage worldwide with consistency and credibility.
Anderson Cooper Height | How Tall is Anderson Cooper?
Anderson Cooper stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall (1.78 m), a height often mentioned in public profiles. He maintains a professional on-screen presence that complements his work as a CNN anchor and journalist. Moreover, his stature supports calm authority during live broadcasts and field reporting. In addition, Cooper’s height contributes to his recognizable appearance alongside other media figures.
Anderson Cooper Education
Anderson Cooper completed his early education at the Dalton School in New York City before advancing to higher studies. He later attended Yale University, where he studied political science and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989. During college, he also studied Vietnamese at the University of Hanoi, which expanded his global outlook. Moreover, Cooper completed CIA internships during two summers, gaining international experience. Consequently, his education strongly shaped his career as a CNN anchor and global journalist.
Anderson Cooper’s Family | Parents & Siblings | Young
Anderson Cooper comes from a well-known American family with a rich cultural legacy. He is the son of writer Wyatt Emory Cooper and fashion icon and heiress Gloria Vanderbilt. Therefore, he grew up surrounded by art, media, and public attention. As a young boy, Cooper experienced privilege but also faced early responsibility and loss. His upbringing strongly shaped his independence, curiosity, and interest in global affairs.
Moreover, Cooper has three siblings, including two older half-brothers, Stan Stokowski and Christopher Stokowski. Tragically, his older brother Carter Vanderbilt Cooper died in 1988, which deeply affected the family. Consequently, this loss influenced Cooper’s emotional depth and storytelling style. Over time, these family experiences helped mold his empathetic approach to journalism and public life.
Anderson Cooper’s Mom Gloria Vanderbilt – Vanderbilt Family & Fortune
Anderson Cooper’s mom was Gloria Vanderbilt, a famous American heiress, designer, and socialite. She was born into the powerful Vanderbilt family, heirs to a massive railroad and shipping fortune. Her father, Reginald Vanderbilt, was heir to Cornelius Vanderbilt’s empire, shaping her early wealth and status.
Vanderbilt built her own career in fashion design, especially with iconic designer jeans in the 1970s and 1980s. Moreover, she wrote books, acted, and embraced art and writing throughout life. She married four times and had four sons, including Cooper. Though she died at age 95 from stomach cancer in 2019, her legacy lives through family and cultural influence.
Interestingly, Cooper has said there was no traditional Vanderbilt trust fund for him, and he forged his own path in journalism. Nonetheless, the Vanderbilt name remains one of America’s most iconic family legacies today.
Anderson Cooper Sexuality & Coming Out
Anderson Cooper is openly gay and publicly embraced his sexuality in 2012, during an interview with 60 Minutes. He chose to speak honestly about being gay and discussed personal life with clarity. Cooper’s coming‑out moment helped many in the LGBTQ+ community feel seen and supported. Moreover, he continues to advocate for inclusion and acceptance in media and society. Today, he balances openness about identity with his work as a respected CNN anchor and journalist.
Anderson Cooper Husband | Wife | Partner
Is Anderson Cooper still married?
Anderson Cooper does not have a husband or wife in 2026, and he has never married. He previously dated French businessman Benjamin Maisani for nearly a decade before their split in 2018. Although their romantic relationship ended, the two remain close friends and co‑parent their two sons, Wyatt and Sebastian. Moreover, Maisani lives with Cooper in a modern family setup, where they share parenting responsibilities. Cooper has said he is not currently dating anyone and focuses on fatherhood and his journalism career. This unique partnership shows that family life can thrive without a traditional spouse.
Anderson Cooper Children | Kids
Cooper has two children, both sons named Wyatt and Sebastian with his former partner and co‑parent Benjamin Maisani. His oldest son is Wyatt Morgan Maisani‑Cooper, born in 2020 via surrogate. In 2022, Cooper welcomed his second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani‑Cooper, also via surrogate. Wyatt and Sebastian share a close brotherly bond and bring joy to Cooper’s life. Today, Cooper co‑parents both boys with Maisani, with Wyatt calling Cooper “Daddy” and Maisani “Papa.” Cooper often speaks about fatherhood as the best time of his life and prioritizes his children’s upbringing alongside his journalism career.
Anderson Cooper Author | Podcast & Public Speaking
Anderson Cooper is a bestselling author known for Dispatches from the Edge, a memoir of war and survival. Moreover, he hosts the award‑winning podcast All There Is with Anderson Cooper, exploring grief, loss, and healing through deep conversations with guests and listeners. In addition, Cooper speaks publicly on journalism, media, and global events. He appears at conferences, universities, and industry summits to share behind‑the‑scenes insights.
Anderson Cooper Journalism Career | CNN | Reporting Highlights & Awards
Anderson Cooper began his journalism career with Channel One News, where he reported internationally while still young. Later, he joined ABC News as a correspondent and anchor before moving to CNN in 2001. At CNN, he launched Anderson Cooper 360° in 2003, which changed cable news with live reporting and deep analysis. Cooper covered major global events like Hurricane Katrina, international conflicts, and presidential elections for CNN. Moreover, he became a correspondent for 60 Minutes while continuing his CNN role.
In addition, Cooper won honors such as the 2025 Goldsmith Career Award for Excellence in Journalism for his decades of impactful reporting. Furthermore, he signed a new contract extension with CNN in late 2025, reinforcing his long-term presence on the network. Cooper remains one of the most respected CNN anchors and journalists in modern broadcast media.
Anderson Cooper Salary
Anderson Cooper earns a high annual salary as one of CNN’s top anchors, with estimates ranging from about $12 million to $20 million per year for Anderson Cooper 360° and related work. Moreover, additional income comes from podcasting, speaking engagements, book royalties, and special projects. Some reports suggest industry observers believe he could earn closer to $18 million annually in total compensation.
Anderson Cooper’s Health
What was Anderson Cooper diagnosed with?
Anderson Cooper has discussed several aspects of his health journey publicly, including childhood dyslexia, which made reading harder early in life and shaped his resilience. He also experienced appendicitis in 2014, requiring emergency surgery and a brief hospital stay before returning to work. Additionally, Cooper revealed his positive COVID‑19 diagnosis in 2022, sharing updates on social media while recovering. Moreover, he has spoken honestly about emotional challenges tied to personal loss, reflecting on grief in his podcast. Together, these health experiences highlight his openness about well‑being and self‑care while maintaining an active career as a CNN anchor and journalist.
Anderson Cooper Net Worth 2026
Anderson Cooper’s net worth is estimated at around $60 million in 2026 according to financial reports and celebrity wealth trackers. Although some outlets suggest a higher valuation, most reliable sources place his fortune near this figure. Moreover, Cooper earns a substantial annual income, reportedly between $18 million and $20 million from CNN and related media roles. His wealth comes from longtime work as a CNN anchor, bestselling books, podcasting, and public speaking. Importantly, Cooper has noted that most of his financial success stems from his career, not inheritance.