Anderson Cooper Just Revealed He's a Dad to a Newborn

"As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and I’m grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son's birth."

Mikelle Street

Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.

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Mikelle Street

April 30 2020 10:14 PM EST

January 12 2021 6:14 AM EST

MikelleStreet

On Thursday night, journalist and news host Anderson Cooper revealed to his Instagram followers that he had recently become a father. His son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper was named for his father. Morgan is a family name from Anderson's mother's side.

"As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and I'm grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son's birth," Cooper wrote. "Most of all, I am grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, and watched over him lovingly, and tenderly, and gave birth to him. It is an extraordinary blessing - what she and all surrogates give to families who can't have children. My surrogate has a beautiful family of her own, a wonderfully supportive husband, and kids, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support they have given Wyatt and me. My family is blessed to have this family in our lives."

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Cooper had not previously spoken about his plans to have a child. The announcement came after CNN's weekly televised global town hall about the ongoing pandemic.

"It's been a difficult time in all of our lives and there are certainly many hard days ahead," Cooper said in the televised segment announcing the news. "It is, I think, especially important in these times of trouble to try to hold on to moments of joy and moments of happiness. Even as we mourn the loss of loved ones, we are also blessed with new life and new love. So I just wanted to take a moment to share with you some joyful news of my own."