Growing up, Anderson Cooper never imagined he would become a father. As a gay child, the idea of having his own family seemed impossible. But life had other plans, and at the age of 53, he welcomed his first child, proving that love and determination can overcome any obstacle.
Anderson had been in a long-term relationship with Benjamin Maisani, a businessman, and nightclub owner. The two kept their romance incredibly private, and it wasn’t until years later that the public learned they had been dating since 2009. They lived together in Anderson’s beautifully renovated firehouse home in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village.
Despite their deep bond, Anderson and Benjamin eventually parted ways in 2018. Anderson later explained that Benjamin wasn’t sure about having children, which became a key reason for their breakup. However, their love for each other as family remained strong, and their friendship endured.
Determined to become a father, Anderson pursued parenthood on his own. In April 2020, he shared the joyful news that his son, Wyatt Morgan, had been born via surrogate. The name held special significance—Wyatt was his late father’s name, and Morgan was a family name from his mother’s side. He expressed deep gratitude to the medical team, the surrogate, and all those who made his dream of fatherhood come true.
Anderson also reflected on the struggles he faced growing up. As a young gay boy, he had never believed that being a father would be an option for him. But thanks to the efforts of those who fought for LGBTQ+ rights, he was able to experience the joy of parenthood.
Despite their split, Anderson and Benjamin chose to co-parent Wyatt together. Benjamin, who had initially been hesitant about fatherhood, fully embraced his role and became a devoted parent. Anderson joked that since Benjamin spoke to Wyatt in French, he had no idea what they were saying and hoped they weren’t conspiring against him!
Their unconventional family dynamic worked so well that when Anderson welcomed his second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, in 2022, Benjamin was once again part of the parenting team. Anderson revealed that Benjamin was even in the process of legally adopting Wyatt, officially making their family unit stronger.
Though parenthood brought sleepless nights and exhaustion, Anderson wouldn’t trade it for the world. He often found himself moved to tears just looking at his sons, knowing that their love filled his life in ways he never imagined possible.
