Anderson Cooper Steps Away From 60 Minutes to Focus on Family and Fatherhood

A Notable Departure After Nearly Two Decades

Veteran journalist Anderson Cooper has announced that he will step away from his role as a correspondent on 60 Minutes, concluding a professional chapter that has lasted for nearly 20 years.

The decision is not linked to controversy, workplace conflict, or professional difficulty. Instead, it stems from a deeply personal motivation centered on spending more time with his young children during what he considers the most important years of his life.

For viewers, Cooper’s presence on 60 Minutes became closely associated with thoughtful storytelling, investigative depth, and carefully structured reporting.

His departure signals the close of a meaningful era both for the journalist and for the long-running broadcast that has shaped television news for generations.

A Distinguished Career in Journalism

Understanding the significance of Cooper’s decision requires a look at the breadth of his career in broadcast journalism.

A 16-time Emmy Award winner, Cooper has built a reputation for covering complex global stories with a blend of clarity, empathy, and professionalism.

Alongside his contributions to CBS, he has remained a central figure at CNN, where he anchors Anderson Cooper 360°, one of the network’s flagship programs.

Maintaining responsibilities across both CNN and 60 Minutes required an exceptionally demanding schedule.

For nearly two decades, he traveled extensively, reported from disaster zones and politically sensitive regions, and conducted interviews with world leaders, cultural figures, and individuals whose personal stories resonated with audiences.

His segments on 60 Minutes frequently involved international reporting and in-depth investigations that required extensive preparation and prolonged time away from home.

In a public statement released in mid-February, Cooper described his experience at 60 Minutes as “one of the highlights” of his career.

He also expressed appreciation for the producers, editors, and camera crews who contributed to the program’s collaborative process, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in maintaining its high standards.

CBS News responded with gratitude, acknowledging his dedication and expressing support for his choice to spend more time with his family while indicating that the possibility of future collaboration remains open.

A Personal Shift in Priorities

The decision to step away from 60 Minutes reflects a clear change in how Cooper now evaluates his time and commitments.

He has openly shared that the fleeting nature of childhood played a central role in shaping his choice.

In his own words, he noted, “I have little kids now,” adding, “and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they want to spend time with me.”

This perspective highlights a reality many parents understand: professional success often comes with sacrifices, particularly when careers demand travel and long working hours.

For Cooper, who became a father later in life, the opportunity to be present during his children’s early years carries profound personal importance.

The Life-Changing Moment of Fatherhood

On April 30, 2020, during a broadcast of Anderson Cooper 360°, Cooper shared a life-altering announcement with viewers.

He revealed that three days earlier, his son Wyatt Morgan Cooper had been born via surrogate.

The moment was emotional and deeply significant, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his personal life.

Cooper later introduced his newborn son publicly and explained the meaning behind his name.

Wyatt was named after his father, Wyatt Emory Cooper, who passed away when Anderson was just ten years old.

The middle name, Morgan, was chosen because it had once been considered by his own parents when naming him.

He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the surrogate and her family, describing their support as an extraordinary blessing.

Fatherhood, he later explained, felt like the true beginning of his life, bringing a depth of love and purpose unlike anything he had previously experienced.

Expanding His Family

In 2022, Cooper welcomed his second son, Sebastian Luke, who was also born via surrogate.

He shared the news publicly, once again expressing pride, gratitude, and joy at the expansion of his family.

The arrival of his second child further strengthened his commitment to restructuring his professional life in a way that allowed for greater involvement at home.

With two young sons, the balance between an intense global news career and active parenting became increasingly significant.

Co-Parenting and Family Dynamics

Although Cooper and his former partner, Benjamin Maisani, ended their romantic relationship in 2018, they have maintained a close friendship and a cooperative co-parenting partnership.

He has spoken openly about their family structure, acknowledging that it may seem unconventional while emphasizing its stability and shared dedication to their children.

Cooper has said he always believed Maisani would be a devoted father, and their co-parenting arrangement is grounded in mutual respect and a shared goal of providing a loving and secure environment.

The two live near each other and actively collaborate in raising Wyatt and Sebastian, ensuring consistent involvement in their upbringing.

His openness about family life has resonated widely, particularly as one of the most prominent openly gay journalists in American media.

He has reflected on how, as a 12-year-old boy coming to terms with being gay, he once believed parenthood would never be part of his future.

That realization brought sadness at the time, making his present experience as a father even more meaningful decades later.

The Emotional Influence of Parenthood

Parenthood has significantly reshaped Cooper’s outlook on life.

In interviews over recent years, he has described these early years with his sons as the best period of his life.

Daily routines such as bedtime stories, morning cuddles, and shared laughter have brought a sense of grounding that contrasts sharply with the intensity of covering global events.

He has spoken about experiencing moments of “bliss, humor, gentleness and sheer delight” that often come unexpectedly in everyday family life.

These experiences have gradually become central to his sense of fulfillment and happiness.

After decades of reporting from war zones, disaster areas, and politically charged environments, returning home to young children offers a different emotional focus rooted in stability and affection.

This transition reflects a natural recalibration rather than a withdrawal from professional purpose.

Continuing His Role in Journalism

Although he is stepping away from 60 Minutes, Cooper is not leaving journalism altogether.

He will continue anchoring Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN, maintaining a major role in daily news coverage and global reporting.

He also hosts The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper, a long-form program that allows for deeper examination of important topics.

In addition to television work, he has developed a podcast focused on grief, inspired in part by his personal experiences with loss.

The podcast explores themes of mourning, resilience, and emotional healing through conversations that resonate with a broad audience.

These ongoing projects demonstrate his continued commitment to meaningful storytelling while adopting a schedule that allows more time for family life.

Balancing Public Responsibility and Private Fulfillment

When public figures step back from high-profile roles, speculation often follows. In this case, however, the reasoning behind Cooper’s decision has been clear and consistent.

There have been no indications of disputes or contractual complications.

Instead, the choice reflects a deliberate effort to prioritize family during a limited and irreplaceable period of childhood.

His transparency regarding this decision has been widely understood, as many people recognize the challenge of balancing demanding careers with personal responsibilities.

Even for accomplished professionals, time and attention must be allocated carefully, particularly when family milestones are involved.

A Lasting Legacy at 60 Minutes

Cooper’s nearly 20-year contribution to 60 Minutes represents a significant chapter in the program’s long history.

The broadcast, which has been on the air since 1968, remains one of the most respected investigative news programs in the United States.

Joining its roster placed Cooper among a lineage of distinguished correspondents known for in-depth reporting and journalistic rigor.

Over the years, he covered humanitarian crises, political developments, and cultural stories that required careful investigation and nuanced storytelling.

His calm delivery, thoughtful interviews, and willingness to engage deeply with complex issues strengthened the program’s reputation for excellence.

CBS News has indicated that the relationship remains positive and respectful, and that he would be welcomed back in the future should he choose to return.

Looking Toward the Future

For now, Cooper’s priorities are centered firmly on his children and their formative years.

He has expressed a strong desire to be present for milestones, daily routines, and shared experiences that shape childhood memories.

He has also acknowledged openness to the possibility of expanding his family further one day, though no specific plans have been announced.

His evolving definition of success reflects both professional achievement and personal fulfillment.

For many years, his accomplishments were measured through awards, impactful reporting, and audience reach.

Today, they are also reflected in bedtime routines, shared laughter, and the quiet satisfaction of being an engaged parent.

As he closes one professional chapter and deepens another personal one, his story resonates beyond the newsroom.

It illustrates how ambition, identity, and family life can evolve over time without diminishing dedication to one’s craft.

Stepping away from one of television’s most prestigious platforms does not represent retreat, but rather a thoughtful recalibration.

Supporters have expressed appreciation for his honesty and continued commitment to both journalism and fatherhood.

In choosing to prioritize family during this meaningful stage of life, Anderson Cooper underscores a universal truth: even in the most high-profile careers, the role of parent can remain the most significant of all.