Anderson Cooper Biography And Wiki
Anderson Cooper, a prominent American broadcast journalist and political commentator, anchors CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°. After graduating from Yale University in 1989, he launched his journalism career by reporting from conflict zones for Channel One News. Cooper then moved to ABC News, where he continued building his reputation before joining CNN in 2001. There, he gained widespread acclaim for his on-the-ground coverage, especially during Hurricane Katrina, which showcased his commitment to frontline journalism.
Over the years, Cooper has earned multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards for his impactful reporting. He expanded his role in journalism by contributing as a correspondent for 60 Minutes. In 2012, he made headlines by publicly coming out as gay, becoming one of the most visible and influential LGBTQ+ journalists on American television.
Anderson Cooper Age And Birthday
Cooper was born on June 3, 1967, in New York City, United States. His zodiac sign is Gemini.
Anderson Cooper Height And Weight
Cooper is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs around 70 kg (154 lbs). He has an athletic physique, with striking blue eyes and gray-white hair that gradually lightened from its original dark brown shade. His sparkling eyes are among his most recognizable features.
Anderson Cooper’s Educational Background
Cooper attended Yale University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1989.
Anderson Cooper’s Spouse And Children
Cooper is currently single and does not have a spouse. He maintained a long-term relationship with Benjamin Maisani, a French businessman and bar owner, from 2009 to 2018. Although they ended their romantic relationship, they have stayed close and actively co-parent Cooper’s two children, Wyatt Morgan, born in 2020, and Sebastian Luke, born in 2022.
Anderson Cooper Nationality And Ethnicity
Cooper holds American nationality and comes from a primarily European ethnic background. His ancestry includes English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Welsh, Scottish, distant Dutch, and remote French Huguenot roots. He also has 1/16th Chilean heritage, which reflects both Spanish and Indigenous ancestry. On his mother’s side, he descends from the Vanderbilt family, one of America’s historically prominent dynasties.
Anderson Cooper Family, Siblings, Parents
Gloria Vanderbilt and Wyatt Emory Cooper were Anderson Cooper’s parents. Gloria gained fame as an artist, author, and fashion designer, while Wyatt worked as a writer and screenwriter. Unfortunately, Wyatt died in 1978 from complications following heart surgery.
Anderson had one biological brother, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, who tragically took his own life in 1988 at the age of 23. Carter’s death profoundly affected Anderson and influenced his outlook on life and journalism. Anderson also has two older half-brothers, Leopold Stanislaus “Stan” Stokowski and Christopher Stokowski, from his mother’s previous marriage. While Anderson shared a close bond with Carter, his relationship with his half-brothers remained distant until he eventually reconnected with Christopher after years apart.
Anderson Cooper’s Career
Cooper has built a distinguished career in journalism, earning a reputation for sharp reporting and the ability to cover breaking news with both depth and empathy. He started in the early 1990s as a correspondent for Channel One News, reporting from conflict zones such as Somalia and Bosnia. In 1995, he joined ABC News, where he worked as a correspondent and later co-anchored World News Now. Though he briefly left journalism to host the reality show The Mole, he returned to the news world in 2001 by joining CNN.
At CNN, Cooper launched Anderson Cooper 360°, a nightly news program that quickly gained prominence for its immersive reporting style. His coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 received widespread praise for its emotional yet fact-driven approach. Over the years, he reported on major global events like the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Arab Spring, and various U.S. presidential elections. In 2007, he became a regular contributor to 60 Minutes, which further cemented his status as a leading journalist.
Beyond his television work, Cooper has authored several books, including Dispatches from the Edge (2006), which shares his experiences covering global crises, and Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty (2021), co-written with Katherine Howe. He has won numerous awards, including multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards, as well as a GLAAD Media Award. In 2016, he became the first openly LGBTQ+ journalist to moderate a U.S. presidential debate. Cooper continues to evolve his career, spanning investigative journalism, political commentary, and documentary storytelling.
Anderson Cooper Net Worth
Anderson Cooper’s estimated net worth in 2025.
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