5 Surprising Facts About Anderson Cooper At 58: Career Milestones, Family Life, And 2025 Updates

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Anderson Cooper, the iconic "Silver Fox" of cable news, is currently 58 years old as of December 23, 2025. While his age provides a simple numerical answer, it only scratches the surface of the celebrated journalist's life, which is currently marked by significant career milestones, a thriving personal life, and a continued commitment to in-depth reporting.

The year 2025 has proven to be a pivotal one for the CNN anchor, seeing him secure his future at the network, receive a major journalism honor, and prepare for his highly anticipated annual New Year's Eve broadcast. This deep dive explores the man behind the anchor desk, detailing his complete biography, his family life as a father of two, and the most recent updates that define his current chapter.

Anderson Cooper: Complete Biography and Profile

Anderson Hays Cooper is one of the most recognizable and respected figures in American journalism. His career spans decades, moving from war-torn regions to the anchor desk, all while navigating a complex personal life rooted in one of America's most famous families, the Vanderbilts.

  • Full Name: Anderson Hays Cooper
  • Date of Birth: June 3, 1967
  • Current Age (as of Dec 23, 2025): 58 years old
  • Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
  • Education: Yale University (B.A. in Political Science)
  • Mother: Gloria Vanderbilt (artist, socialite, and fashion designer)
  • Father: Wyatt Emory Cooper (author and screenwriter)
  • Sons: Wyatt Morgan Cooper and Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper
  • Co-Parent: Benjamin Maisani (former partner)
  • Primary Role: Anchor of Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN
  • Notable Honors (2025): Recipient of the 2025 Goldsmith Career Award for Excellence in Journalism

Cooper's journey into journalism began unconventionally. After graduating from Yale, he traveled to Africa and Asia, filming war zones on a home video camera to create his own segments, which he eventually sold to Channel One News. This early, hands-on experience laid the foundation for his reputation as a fearless correspondent.

Fact 1: The Silver Fox is Securing His Legacy with Major 2025 Career Moves

Despite a period of widespread shakeups and changes in the television news industry, Anderson Cooper's position remains firmly established, with 2025 being a landmark year for his professional stability.

A New CNN Contract and Stability in a Shifting Landscape

In a major development, Anderson Cooper reportedly signed a new contract extension with CNN in 2025. This move secures his long-term future as the primary anchor of the network's flagship news broadcast, Anderson Cooper 360°. The extension underscores his value as a consistent, trusted voice in nightly news programming.

Furthermore, Cooper is slated to receive the prestigious 2025 Goldsmith Career Award for Excellence in Journalism. The award recognizes his decades of fearless reporting and his commitment to truth, from covering major international conflicts to anchoring live domestic events.

Fact 2: He Is Now a Father of Two Sons, Wyatt and Sebastian

One of the most transformative aspects of Cooper's life in his late 50s is his role as a devoted father. He has two young sons, both born via surrogate, which he co-parents with his former partner, Benjamin Maisani.

  • Wyatt Morgan Cooper: His eldest son is named after Cooper's late father, Wyatt Emory Cooper.
  • Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper: His youngest son, born in 2022, carries Maisani's last name as a co-parent.

Cooper has been openly candid about the happiness his children have brought him, often describing the experience of fatherhood as "blissfully happy." The decision to co-parent with Maisani, even after their romantic relationship ended, highlights their unique and supportive family structure.

Fact 3: The Vanderbilt Legacy—He Is the Sole Prominent Descendant of an American Dynasty

A detail often overshadowed by his journalism career is his lineage. Anderson Cooper is the son of socialite and artist Gloria Vanderbilt, making him a direct descendant of the powerful Vanderbilt family dynasty.

The Vanderbilt family amassed an enormous fortune in the 19th century through shipping and railroads, but Cooper grew up knowing that the vast family wealth had largely dissipated. This unique background has inspired some of his most personal and successful literary works.

The Rise and Fall of American Fortunes

Cooper has channeled his family history into a successful secondary career as an author, co-authoring several New York Times bestsellers. His books often delve into the complexities of wealth, legacy, and family, including:

  • Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty (2021)
  • Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune (2024)
  • The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss (with Gloria Vanderbilt)

Fact 4: The CNN New Year's Eve Special with Andy Cohen Will Ring in 2026

A beloved annual tradition that has become synonymous with Cooper's image is his New Year's Eve broadcast. He and Bravo host Andy Cohen will return to Times Square to co-host New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, marking their ninth year together.

The broadcast is known for its blend of serious news coverage and unscripted, often humorous, on-air banter between the two friends. This annual event showcases a lighter side of the journalist, contrasting sharply with his serious work on Anderson Cooper 360°.

Fact 5: Before CNN, He Was a Reality TV Host

While known globally for his serious journalism, one of Cooper's early career breaks was in reality television. Before joining CNN, he hosted the American version of the reality competition show The Mole from 2000 to 2001.

This surprising detour demonstrates his versatility in media. He also anchored ABC's overnight newscast, World News Now, and later hosted his own syndicated daytime talk show, Anderson Live, before dedicating himself fully to his role as a prominent CNN anchor and correspondent.

how old is anderson cooper
how old is anderson cooper

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  • Name : Vilma Hayes
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