Is anderson cooper the biological father of his son

Anderson Cooper is now a dad of two! This morning, the CNN anchor shared a photo to Instagram of his new baby, Sebastian Luke. He announced Sebastian's arrival last night on his show, Anderson Cooper 360, showing a picture of his eldest son, Wyatt Morgan, and saying, "If he looks particularly happy in this picture, it's because he now has a baby brother."

Cooper went on to share that his new baby's name is Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, and that he was 6.8 pounds at birth. Cooper co-parents with his "best friend and former partner," Benjamin Maisani. Cooper goes by "Daddy" and Maisani goes by "Papa."

"When I announced Wyatt's birth, I said I liked to imagine my mom and dad and brother, all who are no longer alive, their arms around each other, smiling and joyful at his birth," Cooper said. "These past 22 months, I felt them watching over us very strongly and I already feel their love for Sebastian."

Wyatt was named after Cooper's father, Wyatt Emory Cooper, who passed away in 1978 at age 50 during open heart surgery. Cooper's brother, Carter, died by suicide when he was just 23 in 1988. Gloria Vanderbilt, Cooper's mother, passed away in 2019 at age 95.

L-R: Wyatt Emory Cooper, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, Anderson Cooper, and Gloria Vanderbilt in their home in Southampton, Long Island, New York on March 30, 1972.

Cooper is part of one of American wealthiest families; his mother is descended from Cornelius Vanderbilt, who was once the richest man in America. Last year, Cooper published Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, documenting his mother's family—a project that began after he started going through boxes in her apartment after her death. The book, he said, is a letter to his son "about this crazy and unusual part of his family's past."

In September 2021, Cooper made headlines when he announced he doesn't plan to leave his son an inheritance. "I grew up watching money being lost and knowing it was being lost, and from a very young age I was very aware of 'this is not me—this is money my mom has, but it's not money I'm going to have and I need to forge my own way.'" Cooper said.

Last year, Cooper also shared that many years before having Wyatt, his mother offered to be his surrogate, calling it "batsh*t crazy" and "nuts" of her to offer. He, of course, did not take her up on that.

Gloria Vanderbilt and her two sons, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper (left) and Anderson Cooper (right) in March 1976.

Both Cooper's sons were born via surrogacy. "The family I was born into may be gone, but I feel them alive in the family we've created, new love, and new life," Cooper said in Sebastian's birth announcement on CNN. He also shared that Maisani will be adopting Wyatt, so both their sons will have the last name "Maisani-Cooper." Cooper and Maisani broke up in March 2018 after a decade together, but have remained close friends and co-parents.

Today, Cooper shared a sweet photo cuddling with Sebastian the day after he was born:

Here's to the new dads.

Emily Burack (she/her) is the news writer for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram. 

CNN's Anderson Cooper delivered some news of his own on Thursday evening: He's a father.

Cooper, 52, said on the network that he is eternally grateful for the surrogate who carried, cared for and gave birth to Wyatt Cooper, who was born Monday at 7.2 pounds.

"It's been a difficult time in all of our lives, and there are certainly many hard days ahead. It is, I think, especially important in these times of trouble to try to hold on to moments of joy and moments of happiness," the anchor said.

"Even as we mourn the loss of loved ones, we're also blessed with new life and new love. So, I just wanted to take a moment and share with you some joyful news of my own: On Monday, I became a father."

"I've never actually said that before, out loud, and it still kind of astonishes me. I am a dad. I have a son, and I want you to meet him," Cooper said before images of the infant were shown.

Cooper, who is gay, said he never thought it would be possible to have a child. "I am so grateful for all those who paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son's birth," he said.

"Most of all, I am eternally grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, watched over him lovingly, tenderly, and gave birth to him," Cooper said. "It's an extraordinary blessing which she and all surrogates give to families who can't have children."

The newsman said the child is named after Cooper's father who died when Cooper was 10 years old, and that his middle name is Morgan, which is a family name on his late mother's side.

"I know my mom and dad liked the name Morgan, because while I was going through her things recently, I found a list they'd made 52 years ago when they were trying to think of names for me. Morgan was on the list," Cooper said. "So that's Wyatt Morgan Cooper, my son."

Cooper said that he wishes his father, mother and brother were alive to meet his son.

"But I'd like to believe that they can see him. I imagine them all together, arms around each other, smiling and laughing and watching, looking down on us — happy to know that their love is alive in me, and in Wyatt, and that our family continues," Cooper said. "A new life, and new love."

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

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