As Anderson Cooper approached sixty, he found himself entering a new chapter of life—fatherhood—despite having already ended his relationship with his longtime partner, Benjamin Maisani. Though their romantic relationship had concluded, Cooper and Maisani remained united in a different but equally significant way.

Cooper and Maisani’s relationship, which began in 2009, was kept under wraps for several years. It wasn’t until May 2015 that the couple decided to go public, with Cooper sharing a picture on Instagram and humorously noting how couples begin to resemble each other after spending so much time together. By 2016, the couple had opened up further, appearing together in an issue of Architectural Digest, showcasing their co-owned home in Brazil. Maisani, who preferred a private life, expressed his understanding of the public’s interest but admitted he never sought the spotlight.

Despite their deep bond, the couple parted ways in March 2018 after a decade together. Cooper explained that while their romantic relationship had ended, their affection for each other remained strong, akin to family ties. In a candid conversation with Ellen DeGeneres, Cooper revealed that one of the reasons for their breakup was Maisani’s uncertainty about starting a family—a dream Cooper was determined to realize.

In 2020, Cooper’s dream came true when he announced the birth of his son, Wyatt Morgan, at the end of a CNN segment. The birth held special significance for Cooper, who, as a gay man, had once doubted that fatherhood would ever be possible for him. Overcome with gratitude, Cooper thanked everyone who helped him achieve his dream, including the medical professionals involved in Wyatt’s birth.

Cooper shared photos of newborn Wyatt on Instagram, tenderly cradling the baby in one image and explaining the significance of his name. Wyatt was named after Cooper’s father, who passed away when Cooper was just ten years old. The baby’s middle name, Morgan, came from Cooper’s mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, who also had a connection to the name.

Cooper expressed his gratitude to the surrogate mother who carried Wyatt, as well as to her family for their support throughout the process. Although Cooper’s parents and brother could not witness Wyatt’s growth, Cooper chose to believe they were watching over him, sharing in his joy.

Despite his joy, Cooper faced the challenges of parenthood, admitting that he was more exhausted than ever before. However, he was adamant that his son would not be raised by a single parent. On “The Howard Stern Show,” Cooper shared his desire for Wyatt to have multiple loving figures in his life, reflecting on his own upbringing after losing his father.

Interestingly, despite their breakup, Cooper and Maisani continued to live together in Cooper’s renovated Greenwich Village firehouse. The two remained close, with Maisani eventually embracing his role as a co-parent. Cooper noted that Wyatt would likely call Maisani “Papa” and him “Dad” or “Daddy,” adding a humorous touch about Maisani speaking French to the baby.

By August 2020, Cooper had settled into a new routine with Wyatt, who, at just four months old, was sleeping through the night—a surprising feat. Cooper credited a helpful nurse but joked about not knowing her secret to getting Wyatt to sleep so soundly.

In February 2022, Cooper announced the arrival of his second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, also born via surrogacy. Cooper and Maisani would continue to co-parent, with Wyatt’s last name being changed to Maisani-Cooper as part of the adoption process.

While Cooper acknowledged the exhaustion that comes with being a father, he expressed his deep love for his sons, embracing his new role with a full heart and a hopeful outlook for the future.