Anderson Cooper’s journey into fatherhood at nearly sixty came after his split with longtime partner Benjamin Maisani. Although they separated, their bond continued to grow—just not romantically. Anderson and Benjamin’s relationship, which began in 2009, was kept under wraps for years before becoming public in 2015 when Anderson shared a photo of them on Instagram. Over time, they became more open, even appearing together in an Architectural Digest feature in 2016, showcasing their shared home in Brazil.
However, by March 2018, after a decade together, Anderson and Benjamin ended their romantic relationship. Despite this, Anderson emphasized that their connection remained strong, stating, “We still love each other as family.” One reason for their breakup was Benjamin’s uncertainty about starting a family, a dream Anderson had cherished for years. Without waiting for a new relationship, Anderson pursued his wish and, in 2020, became a father to Wyatt Morgan, born via surrogacy.
When announcing Wyatt’s birth, Anderson reflected on how he never imagined fatherhood as a possibility due to his sexuality. He expressed immense gratitude to the medical professionals and surrogate who made his dream a reality. Anderson named his son Wyatt after his late father, who passed away when Anderson was ten years old. The boy’s middle name, Morgan, honored his mother’s family, the Vanderbilts.
Though separated, Anderson and Benjamin continued to live together in their Manhattan home, co-parenting Wyatt. Anderson even joked that while he would be called “Dad” or “Daddy,” Wyatt would call Benjamin “Papa” due to his French heritage. The former couple’s close relationship allowed them to effectively share parenting duties, with Benjamin becoming a loving co-parent.
By August 2020, Anderson revealed that fatherhood had changed his entire outlook on life. Despite being in his fifties, he felt as if his “real life” was just beginning with Wyatt’s arrival. As a new father, Anderson’s routines shifted—he began waking up early to be present for his son, something that brought him immense joy.
In February 2022, Anderson made another joyful announcement: the birth of his second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, also via surrogacy. Benjamin and Anderson shared co-parenting duties, with Benjamin in the process of adopting Wyatt. Anderson admitted that while fatherhood was exhausting, he cherished every moment and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
