Anderson Cooper never thought fatherhood was in the cards for him. Growing up gay, he believed having children would always be out of reach. However, life proved him wrong, and at the age of 53, he experienced the incredible joy of becoming a father.
Anderson spent nearly a decade in a relationship with Benjamin Maisani, a businessman known for his private nature. Their relationship, which began in 2009, was kept out of the public eye for years. Even after moving into Anderson’s renovated firehouse home in Manhattan, the couple remained notoriously private.
In 2018, after a decade together, Anderson and Benjamin parted ways. Anderson later admitted that their differing views on parenthood played a significant role in their breakup. Benjamin wasn’t sure about having children, while Anderson had always dreamed of becoming a father. Despite their split, the two remained close and continued to consider each other family.
Determined to fulfill his dream, Anderson took matters into his own hands. In 2020, he joyfully announced the birth of his son, Wyatt Morgan, via surrogate. The baby’s name was a tribute to Anderson’s late father, and his middle name honored his mother’s side of the family. Holding his newborn son in his arms, Anderson felt an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude.
Looking back on his childhood, Anderson acknowledged how far things had come. As a gay child, he had once believed that fatherhood was not an option for him. But thanks to changing times and the efforts of those who fought for LGBTQ+ rights, he was able to build the family he had always longed for.
Despite his initial hesitation about fatherhood, Benjamin stepped up and became a devoted co-parent to Wyatt. Anderson joked that Benjamin spoke to their son in French, leaving him clueless about what they were discussing. Their unique parenting arrangement worked so well that they continued living together as they raised Wyatt.
Two years later, Anderson’s family grew once again. In 2022, he welcomed his second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, into the world. This time, Benjamin played an even bigger role—he was in the process of officially adopting Wyatt, solidifying their unconventional but loving family unit.
Parenthood brought its fair share of exhaustion, but Anderson embraced every moment. Though he had spent years feeling like his real life hadn’t begun, fatherhood changed everything. Now, his days revolved around his two sons, and he couldn’t be happier knowing his family was growing stronger with each passing day.
