For nearly two decades, Anderson Cooper reported from the frontlines of global news, covering stories that defined eras and captured international attention.
Yet even for a 16-time Emmy Award-winning correspondent, there comes a moment when the most important story isn’t on the evening news—it’s waiting at home.
Recently, Cooper announced he is leaving CBS News’s 60 Minutes after nearly 20 years. His departure isn’t the result of scandal, contractual disputes, or newsroom drama. Instead, it is a deeply personal decision: he wants to focus on family.
Choosing Fatherhood Over Headlines
“Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the highlights of my career,” Cooper said. “I’ve had the chance to tell amazing stories and work with some of the best producers, editors, and camera crews in the business. But now, I have young children, and I want to spend as much time with them as possible while they want to spend time with me.”
Beyond television, Cooper hosts a podcast on grief and a Sunday long-form program, The Whole Story. CBS expressed gratitude for his decades of dedication and noted he would always be welcome back should he choose to return.
Cooper’s choice reflects how fatherhood has reshaped his priorities. He shares custody of two sons, Wyatt and Sebastian, with his former partner Benjamin Maisani. Cooper has openly described the joy and wonder of parenting, calling these early years “the best time in my life,” filled with “moments of bliss, humor, gentleness, and sheer delight.”
When Wyatt was born in 2020, Cooper introduced him publicly on Instagram: “He is named after my father, who died when I was ten,” he wrote, acknowledging the surrogate who carried Wyatt. Two years later, Sebastian joined the family. Even after Cooper and Maisani separated in 2018, they have maintained a strong co-parenting relationship.
“Parenting is the best time in my life,” Cooper said in a 2023 interview. “I want to be the best parent I can be.”
Redefining Success
Cooper’s exit from 60 Minutes reminds us that career prestige is not the only measure of a meaningful life. While accolades, Emmy Awards, and headline-making reporting have defined his public persona, the private joys of raising children now take precedence.
His story reflects a universal truth: even the most accomplished professionals may find that the moments that cannot be recorded, edited, or broadcast—the quiet milestones of family life—hold the greatest significance.
Conclusion
After nearly 20 years at one of journalism’s most esteemed programs, Anderson Cooper has chosen a path defined not by awards or recognition, but by presence, care, and family. His decision is a powerful reminder that sometimes the bravest and most important story a person can pursue is the one unfolding at home, in the everyday moments that shape a life beyond the screen.