Anderson Cooper? Oh, he’s the son of Gloria Vanderbilt and comes from the Vanderbilt family lineage. Raised in the Big Apple, he did the whole Dalton School thing and then hit up Yale University before diving into the world of journalism.
Started off as a correspondent for ABC News back in ’95, and then fast forward a bit, and he’s rocking anchor gigs on CNN. The real deal? His own news show, Anderson Cooper 360°, kicked off in 2003. Plus, this dude’s been the go-to host for CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live special for ages. Total news and New Year’s Eve pro!
Early Life and Family Tragedies
Anderson Cooper’s story kicks off in the city that never sleeps – New York City, June 3, 1967, to be exact. His parents? Writer Wyatt Emory Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt, a designer and railroad heiress. Talk about a combo of wordsmith and fashionista!
Growing up, little Anderson wasn’t your average kiddo. His mom’s posh lifestyle meant mingling with the cool cats of the era – think Truman Capote-level cool. As a tiny tot, he even graced the cover of Harper’s Bazaar, thanks to the legendary Diane Arbus. Modeling gigs for Macy’s and Ralph Lauren? Yep, he rocked that too.
But life threw some curveballs. In ’78, his dad passed away during open-heart surgery. It was a tough hit, shaping how Anderson approached life. The tragic tale didn’t stop there. Fast forward to the ’80s, his brother Carter tragically took his own life, leaping from their mom’s NYC apartment—heavy stuff.
Survival became a big question mark for Anderson. What makes some folks pull through and others don’t? His journey into the news world? Well, it just seemed like the logical next step.
Cooper went on to Dalton School and graduated in ’85. Yale University was up next, where he dove into political science. Oh, and did we mention it? He interned with the CIA! Bet you didn’t see that coming.
Life was unfolding for Anderson Cooper in ways no one could predict. But hey, that’s what makes his story a rollercoaster worth riding.
Is Anderson Cooper’s Family Rich?
Anderson Cooper’s family is like a rollercoaster of wealth and heartbreaks. His mom, Gloria Vanderbilt, was loaded, like heir-to-the-Vanderbilt-fortune kind of loaded. His dad, Wyatt Cooper, was no slouch either, being a successful attorney.
But life is a mix of highs and lows, right? His older brother, Carter, sadly hit a low point and ended his own life in 1988. Tragic, right?
And then, there’s his dad, Wyatt. Picture this: sudden heart attack, just 50 years old, and bam! It happened on January 5, 1978, leaving Anderson, at just 10, to deal with the heartbreak. Losing his dad like that made him realize how fragile life can be—tough stuff for a kid.
So, yeah, the Cooper family story has its share of riches, but it’s also seen its fair share of pain and loss. Life’s one crazy ride, isn’t it?
Who are Anderson Cooper’s Parents?
Anderson Cooper’s parents are Gloria Vanderbilt and Wyatt Cooper. His mom, Gloria, was an amazing artist and fashion designer, while his dad, Wyatt, was into writing as well as acting. Growing up in Manhattan, Anderson was surrounded by this mix of creativity and intellect from both sides. Quite a combo, right?
Anderson Cooper may have been born into wealth, thanks to his affluent parents, fashion icon Gloria Vanderbilt, and writer/actor Wyatt Cooper, but his own fortune soared as he carved out his place in the media landscape.
Starting in broadcast journalism behind the scenes, Anderson, often fondly called “AC,” eventually emerged as the face of cable news, endearing himself to audiences as a host and panelist on various programs.
Despite his considerable wealth, Cooper doesn’t see himself as a big spender. In fact, he humorously admits to being a bit of a cheapskate. In May 2020, he playfully disclosed that his baby boy was sporting hand-me-downs from none other than Andy Cohen’s son.
During an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Cooper shared, “My son is entirely wearing hand-me-downs from Andy Cohen’s son. I’m inherently cheap, I like a good value.”
Embracing a frugal mindset, he explained, “It’s a pandemic—I was planning on kind of going shopping, which I hate to do. And so, yeah, he just gave me all the clothes. I wanted my son to be a Depression-era child that will grow up wearing hand-me-down clothes.”
It seems like Anderson Cooper appreciates both the practicality and nostalgia that come with sharing clothing within a community, even when that community includes the offspring of fellow celebrities.
What happened to Anderson Cooper’s Dad?
Anderson Cooper’s dad, Wyatt Emory Cooper, was Gloria Vanderbilt’s fourth husband. He sadly passed away in January 1978 while undergoing heart surgery. Anderson was just 10 years old when he lost his father.
In a candid interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Anderson shared a touching revelation about how he never acknowledged Father’s Day until he became a dad himself. The pain of losing his father was so profound that holidays, especially Father’s Day, felt inexplicable and bittersweet.
During the interview, Anderson opened up about the emotional complexity, saying, “The pain was so great for most of my life.” Naming his son Wyatt after his late father, Anderson reflected on how becoming a dad himself unexpectedly connected him with his own dad and family’s past. It brought forth memories and experiences that he hadn’t recalled before.
Fatherhood, for Anderson, became a journey of rediscovery, communion, and a poignant connection with the family he had lost. It’s a heartfelt testament to the enduring impact of loss and the unexpected ways in which life comes full circle.
Does Anderson Cooper Have a Wife?
Yup, no Mrs. Cooper on the scene! Anderson Cooper is open about being gay and was previously with his partner Benjamin Maisani. They’ve parted ways romantically, but word on the street is they’re going to stay tight for the kids, you know, co-parenting style.
Now, talking about kids, Anderson’s got two of his own. Wyatt Morgan Cooper and Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper are there. Cute names, right?
And since we’re all a bit curious about the green stuff, Anderson’s rolling in with a mouth-watering net worth of about 1.5 million dollars. Not too shabby! Life’s treating Mr. Cooper pretty well.
