Anderson Cooper: Difference between revisions

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| birth_place  = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| birth_place  = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| nationality  = American
| nationality  = American
| occupation  = Broadcast journalist, television anchor, author
| occupation  = Broadcast journalist, television personality, author
| known_for    = ''Anderson Cooper 360°'', ''60 Minutes''
| known_for    = ''Anderson Cooper 360°'', ''60 Minutes''
| education    = [[Yale University]] (B.A., 1989)
| education    = [[Yale University]] (BA, 1989)
| children    = 2
| children    = 2
| awards      = 18 Emmy Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, Edward Murrow Award
| awards      = 18 Emmy Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, Edward Murrow Award
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}}


'''Anderson Hays Cooper''' (born June 3, 1967) is an American broadcast journalist, television anchor, and political commentator who has served as the host of the [[CNN]] news program ''Anderson Cooper 360°'' since 2003. A member of the prominent [[Vanderbilt family]], Cooper carved a path in journalism not through privilege but through determination, beginning his career by self-producing stories from war zones around the world before rising to become one of the most recognized news anchors in the United States. Over the course of more than three decades in broadcast journalism, he has earned 18 [[Emmy Award]]s and two [[Peabody Award]]s, and he served for two decades as a correspondent for ''[[60 Minutes]]'' on [[CBS News]].<ref name="cnn_bio">{{cite web |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/cooper.anderson.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His on-the-ground coverage of major events — including [[Hurricane Katrina]] and the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]] — established his reputation for immersive, emotionally direct reporting. In 2012, Cooper came out publicly as gay, and in 2016 he became the first openly [[LGBT]] person to moderate a [[United States presidential debate|United States presidential debate]].<ref name="variety_2026">{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Anderson Cooper, Stephen Colbert and Sean Strickland Draw Scrutiny to Paramount While Bid for Warner Plays Out |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/anderson-cooper-stephen-colbert-sean-strickland-paramount-1236668726/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In February 2026, Cooper departed ''60 Minutes'' after reports of editorial disputes, drawing renewed attention to his career and the state of American broadcast journalism.<ref name="ft_2026">{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Anderson Cooper, the veteran anchor, leaves the set |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8342107a-6cf4-4ccf-9833-221e32682e2e |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
'''Anderson Hays Cooper''' (born June 3, 1967) is an American broadcast journalist and political commentator who has served as the anchor of the [[CNN]] news program ''[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]'' since 2003. A member of the prominent [[Vanderbilt family]], Cooper carved out a journalistic career defined not by his patrician lineage but by a willingness to report from conflict zones and disaster sites around the world. After graduating from [[Yale University]] in 1989, he began his career in unconventional fashion, self-producing stories from war-torn regions before joining [[ABC News]] as a correspondent and eventually finding his long-term home at CNN. For two decades, Cooper simultaneously served as a correspondent for ''[[60 Minutes]]'', the venerable [[CBS News]] newsmagazine, a role he departed in February 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Anderson Cooper, the veteran anchor, leaves the set |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8342107a-6cf4-4ccf-9833-221e32682e2e |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Cooper's on-the-ground reporting during [[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005 elevated his national profile, and his subsequent coverage of major breaking news events has earned him 18 [[Emmy Award]]s, two [[Peabody Award]]s, and an Edward Murrow Award. In 2012, he publicly came out as gay, and in 2016 he became the first openly [[LGBT]] person to moderate a [[United States presidential election|U.S. presidential debate]].


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Anderson Hays Cooper was born on June 3, 1967, in [[New York City]] to writer [[Wyatt Emory Cooper]] and heiress and fashion designer [[Gloria Vanderbilt]].<ref name="cnn_bio" /> Through his mother, Cooper is a descendant of [[Cornelius Vanderbilt]], the 19th-century railroad and shipping magnate who was one of the wealthiest Americans of his era. His father, Wyatt Emory Cooper, was an author and screenwriter from [[Mississippi]].<ref name="people">{{cite web |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20141166,00.html |publisher=People |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Anderson Hays Cooper was born on June 3, 1967, in [[New York City]].<ref name="cnnbio">{{cite web |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/cooper.anderson.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He is a member of the [[Vanderbilt family]], one of the most prominent American families of the [[Gilded Age]]. His mother was [[Gloria Vanderbilt]], the socialite, fashion designer, and heiress, and his father was [[Wyatt Emory Cooper]], a screenwriter and author from [[Mississippi]]. Cooper grew up in New York City amid the cultural and social circles associated with his family's wealth and public prominence.


Cooper grew up in Manhattan and was immersed in a world of cultural and social prominence from a young age. He was modeled as a child, appearing on the cover of ''Harper's Bazaar'' at the age of three, and his family's life drew frequent media attention. However, his childhood was marked by personal tragedy. His father, Wyatt Cooper, died on January 5, 1978, during open-heart surgery, when Anderson was ten years old.<ref name="people" /> The loss had a profound effect on the young Cooper. Further tragedy struck the family on July 22, 1988, when Cooper's older brother, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, died by [[suicide]] at the age of 23, jumping from the 14th-floor terrace of Gloria Vanderbilt's penthouse apartment in New York City. Anderson, who was 21 at the time, witnessed the event alongside his mother.<ref name="nymag">{{cite news |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/14301/ |work=New York Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Cooper experienced significant personal loss at a young age. His father died during open-heart surgery in 1978, when Cooper was ten years old. His older brother, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, died by [[suicide]] in 1988, jumping from the family's fourteenth-floor apartment in front of their mother. The death of his brother profoundly affected Cooper and, by his own account, influenced his later interest in stories of human suffering and resilience.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20141166,00.html |publisher=People |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


These formative experiences — the deaths of his father and brother — have been cited by Cooper and by journalists who have profiled him as shaping his interest in reporting from conflict zones and disaster areas. Cooper has spoken publicly about how loss drove him toward journalism and toward a desire to understand suffering in the wider world.<ref name="nymag" />
Despite growing up in privilege, Cooper developed an early interest in journalism and world affairs. His hair began turning silver when he was approximately 20 years old, a distinctive physical characteristic that would become one of his most recognizable features throughout his career in television.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Anderson Cooper, the veteran anchor, leaves the set |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8342107a-6cf4-4ccf-9833-221e32682e2e |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> As a child, Cooper also had some early exposure to the world of entertainment and media; he was a child model and appeared on the cover of magazines during his youth.
 
Despite his family's wealth and social standing, Cooper has stated that he did not receive a trust fund and that his mother did not plan to leave him an inheritance, a decision he supported as conducive to self-reliance.<ref name="ft_2026" />


== Education ==
== Education ==


Cooper attended the [[Dalton School]], a private preparatory school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He subsequently enrolled at [[Yale University]], where he studied [[political science]]. During his time at Yale, Cooper spent two summers interning at the [[Central Intelligence Agency]], an experience he has described as formative though he has emphasized he did not pursue a career in intelligence.<ref name="cnn_bio" />
Cooper attended the [[Dalton School]], a private preparatory school in New York City, before enrolling at [[Yale University]]. At Yale, he studied [[political science]] and graduated with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in 1989.<ref name="cnnbio" /> His time at Yale provided him with an academic foundation in political affairs that would serve his later career in journalism, though Cooper has noted that his real education in the field came through hands-on experience in the years immediately following graduation rather than through formal journalism training.
 
Cooper graduated from Yale with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in 1989.<ref name="cnn_bio" /> After graduation, rather than following a conventional path into journalism or the career paths typical of Ivy League graduates of his background, Cooper chose an unconventional route, seeking out conflict zones and teaching himself the craft of on-the-ground reporting.


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Journalism and Channel One News ===
=== Early Career and Channel One News ===
 
After graduating from Yale in 1989, Cooper struggled to break into broadcast journalism through traditional channels. Unable to secure an entry-level position at a network, he obtained a forged press pass and began traveling on his own to war-torn regions of the world, including [[Myanmar]], [[Vietnam]], and parts of [[Africa]].<ref name="nymag" /> He shot footage himself using a handheld camera and sold his reports to [[Channel One News]], a television news program distributed to American schools.<ref name="cnn_bio" />


Cooper's self-made approach to foreign reporting took him into dangerous environments during a period of significant global upheaval in the early 1990s. He reported from conflict zones in [[Somalia]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], and [[Rwanda]], gaining experience that few journalists his age possessed. This early work established the pattern that would define much of his career: a willingness to report from the scene of events rather than from behind a studio desk.<ref name="nymag" /><ref name="mediabistro">{{cite web |title=Anderson Cooper Profile |url=http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a1582.asp |publisher=Mediabistro |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
After graduating from Yale in 1989, Cooper did not follow a conventional path into broadcast journalism. Rather than pursuing graduate study in journalism or seeking entry-level positions at major networks, he chose to travel internationally to conflict zones, where he self-produced news stories using a home video camera. He gained access to war-torn regions in [[Africa]] and [[Southeast Asia]] and shot footage that he then offered to news organizations.<ref name="nymag">{{cite news |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/14301/ |work=New York Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== ABC News (1995–2001) ===
This freelance work led to a position with [[Channel One News]], an outlet that produced news programming for American classrooms. At Channel One, Cooper served as a correspondent and continued to report from dangerous and underserved regions of the world. His willingness to travel to places most journalists avoided helped him build a reel of compelling international reporting.<ref name="cnnbio" />


In 1995, Cooper was hired by [[ABC News]] as a correspondent. His work at ABC covered a range of assignments, and he quickly demonstrated versatility across different formats within the network. He served for a time as a co-anchor of [[ABC]]'s ''World News Now'', an overnight news program, and also worked as a fill-in co-host on ABC's morning programming.<ref name="cnn_bio" />
=== ABC News ===


During this period, Cooper also briefly hosted ''The Mole'', an ABC reality competition game show, in 2000 and 2001. This unusual detour into entertainment television was an anomaly in Cooper's otherwise news-focused career. He has since spoken about the experience as a departure that ultimately reinforced his commitment to journalism.<ref name="nydailynews">{{cite news |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/427186p-360294c.html |work=New York Daily News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 1995, Cooper was hired by [[ABC News]] as a correspondent.<ref name="cnnbio" /> At ABC, he covered a range of stories and demonstrated versatility across different formats. Beyond his correspondent duties, Cooper took on several additional roles within the network. He served for a period as a co-anchor and also hosted the [[reality television|reality game show]] ''[[The Mole (American TV series)|The Mole]]'' for ABC.<ref name="mediabistro">{{cite web |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a1582.asp |publisher=Mediabistro |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He additionally served as a fill-in host on ABC's morning programming. While these varied assignments gave Cooper broad experience in television, they also positioned him as something of a generalist within the network, and he sought a role that would allow him to focus more squarely on hard news.


=== CNN and ''Anderson Cooper 360°'' ===
=== CNN and ''Anderson Cooper 360°'' ===


In 2001, Cooper joined [[CNN]]. He initially served as a substitute anchor on the network's various programs before being given his own show. In 2003, CNN launched ''Anderson Cooper 360°'', a nightly news program anchored by Cooper and typically broadcast from the network's studios in New York. The program became the centerpiece of CNN's primetime lineup and Cooper's primary professional role for over two decades.<ref name="cnn_bio" />
In 2001, Cooper joined [[CNN]], a move that would define the next two and a half decades of his career.<ref name="cnnbio" /> He was given his own prime-time news program, ''[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]'', which debuted in 2003. The show, broadcast from CNN's studios in New York, was designed as a nightly news and analysis program, and Cooper served as both anchor and reporter. He has remained the host of the program since its inception.


Cooper's approach to anchoring ''360°'' differed from many of his contemporaries in that he frequently left the studio to report from locations where major news was unfolding. This practice became central to his public image and professional identity. He reported live from scenes of natural disasters, armed conflicts, political crises, and other breaking news events around the world.<ref name="askmen">{{cite web |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://www.askmen.com/specials/2006_top_49/anderson-cooper-41.html |publisher=AskMen |date=2006 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Cooper developed a reputation for on-the-ground reporting of major breaking news events, often traveling to the scene of disasters and conflicts rather than anchoring from the studio. This approach distinguished him from many of his peers in cable news and became a hallmark of his journalistic identity.<ref name="nymag" />


==== Hurricane Katrina Coverage ====
==== Hurricane Katrina ====


Cooper's coverage of [[Hurricane Katrina]] in August and September 2005 marked a turning point in his career. Reporting live from the devastated Gulf Coast — particularly from [[New Orleans]] and [[Mississippi]] — Cooper displayed visible emotion on camera, at one point confronting U.S. Senator [[Mary Landrieu]] during a live broadcast when she praised government officials while bodies remained unrecovered in the streets behind them.<ref name="nymag" />
Cooper's coverage of [[Hurricane Katrina]] in August and September 2005 marked a turning point in his career and public profile. Reporting live from the devastated [[Gulf Coast]], Cooper delivered emotional and confrontational coverage that resonated with viewers. In one widely noted exchange, he challenged Senator [[Mary Landrieu]] of [[Louisiana]] on air as she praised government officials, pushing back with descriptions of the suffering he had witnessed firsthand. The moment crystallized a style of reporting—direct, emotionally engaged, and skeptical of official narratives—that became closely associated with Cooper's brand of journalism.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Headliner Award Winners 2005 — Broadcast |url=http://www.nationalheadlinerawards.com/Winners2005Broadcast.html |publisher=National Headliner Awards |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


The Katrina coverage drew significant public attention to Cooper and increased his profile considerably. His willingness to express frustration and grief on camera distinguished him from the more detached style of reporting that had been standard among network anchors. The response from viewers was substantial, and Cooper's ratings and public recognition increased sharply in the aftermath of the hurricane.<ref name="askmen" /><ref name="artsjournal">{{cite web |title=Anderson Cooper coverage |url=http://www.artsjournal.com/man/archives20050301.shtml#97980 |publisher=ArtsJournal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The Hurricane Katrina coverage sharply increased Cooper's popularity and viewership for ''Anderson Cooper 360°''. He was recognized with awards for his reporting on the disaster, and the exposure helped establish him as one of the most prominent anchors in American cable news.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anderson Cooper |url=http://www.askmen.com/specials/2006_top_49/anderson-cooper-41.html |publisher=AskMen |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


==== 2010 Haiti Earthquake ====
==== Haiti Earthquake ====


Cooper reported extensively from [[Haiti]] following the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, which killed an estimated 200,000 people and left much of the country's infrastructure in ruins. Cooper was among the first international journalists to arrive on the scene and provided sustained coverage from [[Port-au-Prince]] and surrounding areas in the days and weeks following the disaster.<ref name="cnn_bio" />
In January 2010, Cooper traveled to [[Haiti]] to cover the devastating [[2010 Haiti earthquake|earthquake]] that struck the country. His reporting from [[Port-au-Prince]] and surrounding areas was extensive and included coverage of the humanitarian crisis that followed the disaster. In one notable incident captured on camera, Cooper rescued a young boy who had been injured by looters, carrying the child to safety. For his coverage of the earthquake and its aftermath, Cooper received the [[National Order of Honour and Merit]], the highest honor granted by the [[Haiti|Haitian government]].<ref name="cnnbio" />
 
In recognition of his reporting from Haiti, Cooper was awarded the National Order of Honour and Merit by the Haitian government, the highest honor that nation grants. The award recognized his role in drawing international attention to the scale of the disaster and the humanitarian crisis that followed.<ref name="cnn_bio" />


==== Other Major Coverage ====
==== Other Major Coverage ====


Throughout his tenure at CNN, Cooper reported from numerous other major events. These included the [[2004 Indian Ocean tsunami]], the [[BP oil spill|Deepwater Horizon oil spill]] of 2010, multiple U.S. presidential elections, and various international conflicts. His reporting frequently placed him in situations of personal risk, and he sustained injuries on at least one occasion while covering events in [[Egypt]] during the [[Arab Spring]] in 2011.<ref name="cnn_bio" />
Throughout his tenure at CNN, Cooper has reported from numerous conflict zones and disaster areas around the world. His work has included coverage of the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|war in Afghanistan]], the [[Iraq War]], the [[2004 Indian Ocean tsunami|Indian Ocean tsunami]] of 2004, the [[BP oil spill]] in 2010, and various domestic and international breaking news events. He has also moderated several [[CNN]] presidential debates and town halls, becoming one of the network's most visible figures during election cycles.


=== ''60 Minutes'' (2006–2026) ===
=== ''60 Minutes'' ===


In addition to his work at CNN, Cooper served as a correspondent for ''[[60 Minutes]]'', the long-running CBS News newsmagazine program, for approximately two decades. He contributed segments on a wide range of topics, from international affairs and conflict reporting to profiles of notable individuals.<ref name="variety_2026" />
In addition to his duties at CNN, Cooper served as a correspondent for ''[[60 Minutes]]'', the long-running [[CBS News]] newsmagazine program. He joined the program and maintained a dual role at both networks for approximately two decades, contributing investigative and feature segments to the CBS broadcast while continuing to anchor ''Anderson Cooper 360°'' on CNN.<ref name="cnnbio" />


In February 2026, Cooper departed ''60 Minutes'' under circumstances that drew significant media attention. Reports indicated that a segment produced by Cooper focusing on the claim by U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] that white farmers in [[South Africa]] were victims of "genocide" had been delayed from airing. The segment, which examined the situation of refugees from South Africa and the factual basis for claims of widespread violence against white farmers, was reportedly shelved amid editorial changes at CBS under its new leadership.<ref name="dailybeast">{{cite news |date=2026-02-22 |title='60 Minutes' Segment MAGA-Curious CBS Boss Tried to Shelve Finally Airs |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/60-minutes-segment-maga-curious-cbs-boss-tried-to-shelve-finally-airs/ |work=The Daily Beast |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In February 2026, Cooper departed from ''60 Minutes''. According to multiple reports, his departure came amid tensions regarding the editorial direction of the program under new CBS leadership. A segment reported by Cooper examining claims of a "white genocide" against farmers in [[South Africa]]—an assertion made by President [[Donald Trump]] and disputed by the South African government—had reportedly been delayed from airing.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title='60 Minutes' Segment MAGA-Curious CBS Boss Tried to Shelve Finally Airs |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/60-minutes-segment-maga-curious-cbs-boss-tried-to-shelve-finally-airs/ |work=The Daily Beast |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The segment ultimately aired on February 22, 2026, days after Cooper's departure from the program was announced.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-22 |title='60 Minutes' Finally Airs Explosive Anderson Cooper Report Debunking Major Trump Claim |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/60-minutes-finally-airs-explosive-141618418.html |work=Yahoo Entertainment |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Cooper left ''60 Minutes'' before the segment aired, and it was subsequently broadcast on February 22, 2026.<ref name="yahoo_60min">{{cite news |date=2026-02-22 |title='60 Minutes' Finally Airs Explosive Anderson Cooper Report Debunking Major Trump Claim |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/60-minutes-finally-airs-explosive-141618418.html |work=Yahoo Entertainment |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> According to ''Variety'', Cooper "turned down an opportunity to keep working there," suggesting his departure was voluntary.<ref name="variety_2026" /> The ''Financial Times'' described the departure as the end of an era for Cooper's association with the program, noting that he had "built a career on restraint" and observing that his hair "started turning silver at just age 20."<ref name="ft_2026" />
The ''[[Financial Times]]'' described Cooper's departure as occurring in a broader context of shifting media dynamics, noting that he had "built a career on restraint" and had declined an opportunity to continue working at CBS.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Anderson Cooper, the veteran anchor, leaves the set |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8342107a-6cf4-4ccf-9833-221e32682e2e |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''[[Variety]]'' reported that Cooper's exit, along with tensions involving other CBS personalities, drew scrutiny to [[Paramount Global|Paramount]] as it navigated a bid for [[Warner Bros. Discovery]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Anderson Cooper, Stephen Colbert and Sean Strickland Draw Scrutiny to Paramount While Bid for Warner Plays Out |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/anderson-cooper-stephen-colbert-sean-strickland-paramount-1236668726/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> A public relations expert quoted by ''[[Hello! (magazine)|HELLO! Magazine]]'' characterized the circumstances surrounding Cooper's departure as a "controlled demolition," suggesting the timing was linked to broader editorial and corporate changes at CBS.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-21 |title=As Anderson Cooper exits 60 Minutes expert calls CBS move a 'controlled demolition' |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/us/885302/exclusive-as-anderson-cooper-exits-60-minutes-expert-calls-cbs-move-a-controlled-demolition/ |work=HELLO! Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


A public relations expert quoted by ''Hello! Magazine'' described the circumstances of Cooper's exit as a "controlled demolition," suggesting it reflected broader changes in editorial direction at CBS under its new editor-in-chief appointment.<ref name="hello_2026">{{cite news |date=2026-02-21 |title=As Anderson Cooper exits 60 Minutes expert calls CBS move a 'controlled demolition' |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/us/885302/exclusive-as-anderson-cooper-exits-60-minutes-expert-calls-cbs-move-a-controlled-demolition/ |work=HELLO! Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== ''Anderson Live'' ===


=== ''Anderson Live'' (2011–2013) ===
From September 2011 to May 2013, Cooper hosted ''Anderson Live'' (initially titled ''Anderson''), a syndicated daytime television talk show.<ref>{{cite web |title=CNN's Anderson Cooper in Daytime Talk Show Deal |url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/cnns-anderson-cooper-in-daytime-talk-show-deal/ |publisher=The New York Times |date=2010-09-30 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=US: Anderson Cooper to host daytime talk show |url=http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/10/01/us-anderson-cooper-to-host-daytime-talk-show/ |publisher=Media Spy |date=2010-10-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The show aired in a talk-and-interview format and was produced in addition to his continuing duties on ''Anderson Cooper 360°''. The program was cancelled after two seasons due to low ratings, and Cooper returned his full attention to his CNN program and ''60 Minutes'' work.


From September 2011 to May 2013, Cooper hosted a syndicated daytime television talk show. Originally titled ''Anderson'' and later renamed ''Anderson Live'' when it shifted to a live format with a co-host in its second season, the program aired alongside Cooper's continuing duties at CNN.<ref name="mediaspy">{{cite web |title=US: Anderson Cooper to host daytime talk show |url=http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/10/01/us-anderson-cooper-to-host-daytime-talk-show/ |publisher=Media Spy |date=2010-10-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="nyt_daytime">{{cite news |title=CNN's Anderson Cooper in Daytime Talk Show Deal |url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/cnns-anderson-cooper-in-daytime-talk-show-deal/ |work=The New York Times |date=2010-09-30 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Author ===


The talk show was announced in September 2010 and premiered a year later. It was produced in partnership with CNN and aired in syndication across the United States. The program covered a mix of human interest stories, celebrity interviews, and topical discussions. After two seasons, ''Anderson Live'' was canceled due to declining ratings, and it aired its final episode in May 2013.<ref name="mediaspy" />
Cooper is the author of ''Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival'', a memoir published in 2006 that drew on his experiences reporting from conflict zones and disaster areas. The book detailed his personal background, including the losses of his father and brother, and connected those experiences to his work as a journalist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oprah's Book Club — Anderson Cooper |url=http://www.oprah.com/obc/omag/obc_omag_200507_books.jhtml |publisher=Oprah.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He also co-authored ''The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss'' (2016) with his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, a book based on their personal correspondence.
 
=== Writing Career ===
 
Cooper is also an author. He wrote ''Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival'', published in 2006, in which he reflected on his experiences reporting from conflict zones and natural disasters, as well as the personal losses that shaped his worldview. The book appeared on the [[Oprah's Book Club]] list.<ref name="oprah">{{cite web |title=Oprah's Book Club |url=http://www.oprah.com/obc/omag/obc_omag_200507_books.jhtml |publisher=Oprah.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
He co-authored a book with his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, titled ''The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son On Life, Love, and Loss'', published in 2016. The book was based on a series of personal exchanges between Cooper and Vanderbilt about their family's history, their relationship, and the losses they had endured.


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Cooper came out publicly as gay on July 2, 2012, in an email to journalist [[Andrew Sullivan]], which Sullivan published with Cooper's permission. In the email, Cooper wrote: "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud." The announcement made Cooper one of the most prominent openly gay journalists on American television.<ref name="cnn_bio" />
Cooper is a member of the [[Vanderbilt family]] through his mother, [[Gloria Vanderbilt]], who was the great-great-granddaughter of railroad and shipping magnate [[Cornelius Vanderbilt]]. Despite his family's association with extraordinary wealth, Cooper has stated publicly that he does not expect an inheritance and has built his career and finances independently.


Cooper has two children. He announced the birth of his first son in April 2020 and a second son in February 2022.<ref name="ft_2026" />
In July 2012, Cooper publicly came out as [[gay]] in an email to journalist [[Andrew Sullivan]], which Sullivan published with Cooper's permission. In the email, Cooper wrote, "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud." The announcement made Cooper, as described in media coverage at the time, the most prominent openly gay journalist on American television.<ref>{{cite web |title=GLAAD |url=http://www.glaad.org/publications/archive_detail.php?id=49&PHPSESSID=f |publisher=GLAAD |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Cooper maintained a close personal friendship with television host [[Andy Cohen]], with whom he co-hosted CNN's annual [[New Year's Eve]] broadcast for several years. In 2026, reports indicated that Cohen was planning to host a solo New Year's Eve program, suggesting a shift in the pairing that had become a popular annual tradition.<ref name="radar_2026">{{cite news |date=2026-02-22 |title=Savvy Andy Cohen Plotting to Go Solo Next New Year's — Without CNN Pal Anderson Cooper |url=https://radaronline.com/p/andy-cohen-solo-new-years-cnn-anderson-cooper/ |work=RadarOnline |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Cooper has two children. He announced the birth of his first son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper (named after Cooper's late father), in April 2020, and his second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, in February 2022. Both children were born via surrogate.


Gloria Vanderbilt, Cooper's mother, died on June 17, 2019, at the age of 95. Cooper announced her death on CNN and delivered an emotional tribute to her on air.<ref name="ft_2026" />
Cooper has maintained a friendship with television personality [[Andy Cohen]], and the two co-hosted CNN's [[New Year's Eve]] special for multiple years.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-22 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Savvy Andy Cohen Plotting to Go Solo Next New Year's — Without CNN Pal Anderson Cooper |url=https://radaronline.com/p/andy-cohen-solo-new-years-cnn-anderson-cooper/ |work=RadarOnline |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Cooper has received numerous awards and honors over the course of his journalism career. He has won 18 [[Emmy Award]]s across various categories, recognizing his work in news and documentary journalism.<ref name="cnn_bio" /><ref name="emmy_27">{{cite web |title=27th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards |url=http://www.emmyonline.org/emmy/docu_27th_winners_b.html |publisher=National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="emmy_28">{{cite web |title=28th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Award Nominees |url=http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/_txt/news_28th_nominees_all.txt |publisher=National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Cooper has received extensive recognition for his journalism throughout his career. He has won 18 [[Emmy Award]]s across various categories, reflecting work in both news and documentary programming.<ref>{{cite web |title=27th News and Documentary Emmy Award Winners |url=http://www.emmyonline.org/emmy/docu_27th_winners_b.html |publisher=Emmy Online |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=28th News and Documentary Emmy Award Nominees |url=http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/_txt/news_28th_nominees_all.txt |publisher=Emmy Online |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His two [[Peabody Award]]s recognized excellence in electronic media, including his reporting on significant news events.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peabody Award Winners |url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/winners/details.php?id=1415 |publisher=Peabody Awards |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


He has been awarded two [[Peabody Award]]s, which recognize excellence in electronic media storytelling. One of these was awarded for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.<ref name="peabody">{{cite web |title=Peabody Award Winners |url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/winners/details.php?id=1415 |publisher=Peabody Awards, University of Georgia |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2011, Cooper received the Edward Murrow Award from the [[Overseas Press Club]] for his outstanding contributions to international journalism. The award is named after [[Edward R. Murrow]], the legendary CBS journalist, and is one of the most significant honors in broadcast journalism.


In 2011, Cooper received the Edward Murrow Award from the [[Overseas Press Club]] for his work in international journalism.<ref name="cnn_bio" />
Cooper received the [[National Order of Honour and Merit]] from the Haitian government for his coverage of the 2010 earthquake, the highest honor the country bestows.


Cooper received the National Order of Honour and Merit from the Haitian government for his extensive reporting following the 2010 earthquake, the highest honor granted by Haiti.<ref name="cnn_bio" />
In 2016, Cooper became the first openly LGBT person to moderate a [[United States presidential election debates|U.S. presidential debate]], a milestone noted by media organizations and LGBT advocacy groups. He has received multiple [[GLAAD Media Award]]s recognizing his contributions to fair and accurate representation of the LGBT community in media.


He has also won a National Headliner Award for his broadcast journalism work.<ref name="headliner">{{cite web |title=National Headliner Award Winners 2005 — Broadcast |url=http://www.nationalheadlinerawards.com/Winners2005Broadcast.html |publisher=National Headliner Awards |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Cooper was also recognized with a National Headliner Award for his broadcast journalism, particularly for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina and other major news events.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Headliner Award Winners 2005 — Broadcast |url=http://www.nationalheadlinerawards.com/Winners2005Broadcast.html |publisher=National Headliner Awards |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Cooper has received multiple [[GLAAD Media Award]]s for his visibility and impact as an openly gay public figure in American media.<ref name="glaad">{{cite web |title=GLAAD Media Awards |url=http://www.glaad.org/publications/archive_detail.php?id=49&PHPSESSID=f |publisher=GLAAD |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
In 2016, Cooper became the first openly LGBT person to moderate a [[United States presidential debate]], a milestone noted by media organizations and advocacy groups.<ref name="cnn_bio" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Anderson Cooper's career has spanned more than three decades and coincided with a period of significant transformation in American broadcast journalism. His rise to prominence occurred during the transition from traditional network news dominance to the 24-hour cable news era, and his work at CNN helped define the network's approach to breaking news coverage in the 2000s and 2010s.
Anderson Cooper's career spans more than three decades of American broadcast journalism, during which he has been a consistent presence on cable news through periods of significant transformation in the media industry. His tenure as anchor of ''Anderson Cooper 360°'' since 2003 makes the program one of the longest-running current affairs shows anchored continuously by a single host on American cable television.


Cooper's style of reporting — characterized by on-location coverage, visible emotional engagement, and direct questioning of public officials — influenced the expectations that audiences and media critics held for television news anchors. His Hurricane Katrina coverage, in particular, is frequently cited by media scholars and journalists as a moment that shifted the norms of how anchors could engage with the stories they reported, moving away from strict emotional detachment toward a more openly empathetic approach.<ref name="artsjournal" />
Cooper's approach to journalism—characterized by on-location reporting from disaster zones and conflict areas rather than studio-based anchoring—influenced a generation of cable news programming. His coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, in which he visibly challenged official narratives while standing amid the destruction, is frequently cited as a defining moment in the relationship between cable news and government accountability during crises. The emotional directness of his reporting during Katrina contributed to broader discussions about the role of journalist objectivity versus advocacy in disaster coverage.


His public coming out in 2012 was a significant moment in the representation of LGBT individuals in American media. As the anchor of a major primetime news program, Cooper's visibility contributed to the broader normalization of openly gay professionals in high-profile media roles. His subsequent role as the first openly LGBT presidential debate moderator in 2016 further underscored this impact.<ref name="glaad" />
His 2012 decision to publicly come out as gay was a significant cultural moment in American media. As one of the most visible news anchors in the country, Cooper's coming out was covered extensively and contributed to the increasing visibility and normalization of LGBT individuals in positions of public influence. His subsequent role as the first openly LGBT moderator of a presidential debate in 2016 further underscored this impact.


Cooper's departure from ''60 Minutes'' in February 2026 occurred amid broader debates about editorial independence at major American news organizations and the relationship between media ownership and journalistic content. The episode drew attention to tensions within CBS News and the broader media industry regarding coverage of politically sensitive topics.<ref name="dailybeast" /><ref name="hello_2026" /> ''Variety'' noted that Cooper's exit, along with developments involving other prominent CBS personalities, drew scrutiny to [[Paramount Global|Paramount]] at a time when the company's ownership was in flux.<ref name="variety_2026" />
Cooper's February 2026 departure from ''60 Minutes'' drew attention to the ongoing tensions between editorial independence and corporate interests in American journalism. The circumstances surrounding the delayed airing of his South Africa segment prompted discussion in media circles about the pressures facing journalists within large media conglomerates during a period of political polarization.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Anderson Cooper, Stephen Colbert and Sean Strickland Draw Scrutiny to Paramount While Bid for Warner Plays Out |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/anderson-cooper-stephen-colbert-sean-strickland-paramount-1236668726/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Throughout his career, Cooper's background as a member of the Vanderbilt family has been a frequent subject of public interest, though he has consistently sought to define his professional identity through his journalism rather than his family heritage. His career trajectory — from self-produced war zone reports sold to Channel One to the anchor desk at CNN — has been cited as an example of the unconventional paths available in modern broadcast journalism.<ref name="ft_2026" /><ref name="nymag" />
As of 2026, Cooper continues to anchor ''Anderson Cooper 360°'' on CNN, remaining one of the most recognizable figures in American television news.


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />


[[Category:Journalists]]
[[Category:American people]]
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American broadcast journalists]]
[[Category:American television journalists]]
[[Category:American television journalists]]
[[Category:CNN people]]
[[Category:CNN people]]
[[Category:CBS News people]]
[[Category:CBS News people]]
[[Category:ABC News people]]
[[Category:Yale University alumni]]
[[Category:Yale University alumni]]
[[Category:People from New York City]]
[[Category:Vanderbilt family]]
[[Category:LGBT journalists]]
[[Category:Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]
[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]
[[Category:American gay men]]
[[Category:LGBT journalists from the United States]]
[[Category:Vanderbilt family]]
[[Category:People from New York City]]
[[Category:American male journalists]]
[[Category:Television anchors from New York City]]
[[Category:60 Minutes correspondents]]
[[Category:American memoirists]]
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Latest revision as of 02:09, 24 February 2026


Anderson Cooper
BornAnderson Hays Cooper
3 6, 1967
BirthplaceNew York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBroadcast journalist, television personality, author
Known forAnderson Cooper 360°, 60 Minutes
EducationYale University (BA, 1989)
Children2
Awards18 Emmy Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, Edward Murrow Award
Website[[andersoncooper.com andersoncooper.com] Official site]

Anderson Hays Cooper (born June 3, 1967) is an American broadcast journalist and political commentator who has served as the anchor of the CNN news program Anderson Cooper 360° since 2003. A member of the prominent Vanderbilt family, Cooper carved out a journalistic career defined not by his patrician lineage but by a willingness to report from conflict zones and disaster sites around the world. After graduating from Yale University in 1989, he began his career in unconventional fashion, self-producing stories from war-torn regions before joining ABC News as a correspondent and eventually finding his long-term home at CNN. For two decades, Cooper simultaneously served as a correspondent for 60 Minutes, the venerable CBS News newsmagazine, a role he departed in February 2026.[1] Cooper's on-the-ground reporting during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 elevated his national profile, and his subsequent coverage of major breaking news events has earned him 18 Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and an Edward Murrow Award. In 2012, he publicly came out as gay, and in 2016 he became the first openly LGBT person to moderate a U.S. presidential debate.

Early Life

Anderson Hays Cooper was born on June 3, 1967, in New York City.[2] He is a member of the Vanderbilt family, one of the most prominent American families of the Gilded Age. His mother was Gloria Vanderbilt, the socialite, fashion designer, and heiress, and his father was Wyatt Emory Cooper, a screenwriter and author from Mississippi. Cooper grew up in New York City amid the cultural and social circles associated with his family's wealth and public prominence.

Cooper experienced significant personal loss at a young age. His father died during open-heart surgery in 1978, when Cooper was ten years old. His older brother, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, died by suicide in 1988, jumping from the family's fourteenth-floor apartment in front of their mother. The death of his brother profoundly affected Cooper and, by his own account, influenced his later interest in stories of human suffering and resilience.[3]

Despite growing up in privilege, Cooper developed an early interest in journalism and world affairs. His hair began turning silver when he was approximately 20 years old, a distinctive physical characteristic that would become one of his most recognizable features throughout his career in television.[4] As a child, Cooper also had some early exposure to the world of entertainment and media; he was a child model and appeared on the cover of magazines during his youth.

Education

Cooper attended the Dalton School, a private preparatory school in New York City, before enrolling at Yale University. At Yale, he studied political science and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989.[2] His time at Yale provided him with an academic foundation in political affairs that would serve his later career in journalism, though Cooper has noted that his real education in the field came through hands-on experience in the years immediately following graduation rather than through formal journalism training.

Career

Early Career and Channel One News

After graduating from Yale in 1989, Cooper did not follow a conventional path into broadcast journalism. Rather than pursuing graduate study in journalism or seeking entry-level positions at major networks, he chose to travel internationally to conflict zones, where he self-produced news stories using a home video camera. He gained access to war-torn regions in Africa and Southeast Asia and shot footage that he then offered to news organizations.[5]

This freelance work led to a position with Channel One News, an outlet that produced news programming for American classrooms. At Channel One, Cooper served as a correspondent and continued to report from dangerous and underserved regions of the world. His willingness to travel to places most journalists avoided helped him build a reel of compelling international reporting.[2]

ABC News

In 1995, Cooper was hired by ABC News as a correspondent.[2] At ABC, he covered a range of stories and demonstrated versatility across different formats. Beyond his correspondent duties, Cooper took on several additional roles within the network. He served for a period as a co-anchor and also hosted the reality game show The Mole for ABC.[6] He additionally served as a fill-in host on ABC's morning programming. While these varied assignments gave Cooper broad experience in television, they also positioned him as something of a generalist within the network, and he sought a role that would allow him to focus more squarely on hard news.

CNN and Anderson Cooper 360°

In 2001, Cooper joined CNN, a move that would define the next two and a half decades of his career.[2] He was given his own prime-time news program, Anderson Cooper 360°, which debuted in 2003. The show, broadcast from CNN's studios in New York, was designed as a nightly news and analysis program, and Cooper served as both anchor and reporter. He has remained the host of the program since its inception.

Cooper developed a reputation for on-the-ground reporting of major breaking news events, often traveling to the scene of disasters and conflicts rather than anchoring from the studio. This approach distinguished him from many of his peers in cable news and became a hallmark of his journalistic identity.[5]

Hurricane Katrina

Cooper's coverage of Hurricane Katrina in August and September 2005 marked a turning point in his career and public profile. Reporting live from the devastated Gulf Coast, Cooper delivered emotional and confrontational coverage that resonated with viewers. In one widely noted exchange, he challenged Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana on air as she praised government officials, pushing back with descriptions of the suffering he had witnessed firsthand. The moment crystallized a style of reporting—direct, emotionally engaged, and skeptical of official narratives—that became closely associated with Cooper's brand of journalism.[7]

The Hurricane Katrina coverage sharply increased Cooper's popularity and viewership for Anderson Cooper 360°. He was recognized with awards for his reporting on the disaster, and the exposure helped establish him as one of the most prominent anchors in American cable news.[8]

Haiti Earthquake

In January 2010, Cooper traveled to Haiti to cover the devastating earthquake that struck the country. His reporting from Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas was extensive and included coverage of the humanitarian crisis that followed the disaster. In one notable incident captured on camera, Cooper rescued a young boy who had been injured by looters, carrying the child to safety. For his coverage of the earthquake and its aftermath, Cooper received the National Order of Honour and Merit, the highest honor granted by the Haitian government.[2]

Other Major Coverage

Throughout his tenure at CNN, Cooper has reported from numerous conflict zones and disaster areas around the world. His work has included coverage of the war in Afghanistan, the Iraq War, the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, the BP oil spill in 2010, and various domestic and international breaking news events. He has also moderated several CNN presidential debates and town halls, becoming one of the network's most visible figures during election cycles.

60 Minutes

In addition to his duties at CNN, Cooper served as a correspondent for 60 Minutes, the long-running CBS News newsmagazine program. He joined the program and maintained a dual role at both networks for approximately two decades, contributing investigative and feature segments to the CBS broadcast while continuing to anchor Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN.[2]

In February 2026, Cooper departed from 60 Minutes. According to multiple reports, his departure came amid tensions regarding the editorial direction of the program under new CBS leadership. A segment reported by Cooper examining claims of a "white genocide" against farmers in South Africa—an assertion made by President Donald Trump and disputed by the South African government—had reportedly been delayed from airing.[9] The segment ultimately aired on February 22, 2026, days after Cooper's departure from the program was announced.[10]

The Financial Times described Cooper's departure as occurring in a broader context of shifting media dynamics, noting that he had "built a career on restraint" and had declined an opportunity to continue working at CBS.[11] Variety reported that Cooper's exit, along with tensions involving other CBS personalities, drew scrutiny to Paramount as it navigated a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.[12] A public relations expert quoted by HELLO! Magazine characterized the circumstances surrounding Cooper's departure as a "controlled demolition," suggesting the timing was linked to broader editorial and corporate changes at CBS.[13]

Anderson Live

From September 2011 to May 2013, Cooper hosted Anderson Live (initially titled Anderson), a syndicated daytime television talk show.[14][15] The show aired in a talk-and-interview format and was produced in addition to his continuing duties on Anderson Cooper 360°. The program was cancelled after two seasons due to low ratings, and Cooper returned his full attention to his CNN program and 60 Minutes work.

Author

Cooper is the author of Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival, a memoir published in 2006 that drew on his experiences reporting from conflict zones and disaster areas. The book detailed his personal background, including the losses of his father and brother, and connected those experiences to his work as a journalist.[16] He also co-authored The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss (2016) with his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, a book based on their personal correspondence.

Personal Life

Cooper is a member of the Vanderbilt family through his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, who was the great-great-granddaughter of railroad and shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. Despite his family's association with extraordinary wealth, Cooper has stated publicly that he does not expect an inheritance and has built his career and finances independently.

In July 2012, Cooper publicly came out as gay in an email to journalist Andrew Sullivan, which Sullivan published with Cooper's permission. In the email, Cooper wrote, "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud." The announcement made Cooper, as described in media coverage at the time, the most prominent openly gay journalist on American television.[17]

Cooper has two children. He announced the birth of his first son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper (named after Cooper's late father), in April 2020, and his second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, in February 2022. Both children were born via surrogate.

Cooper has maintained a friendship with television personality Andy Cohen, and the two co-hosted CNN's New Year's Eve special for multiple years.[18]

Recognition

Cooper has received extensive recognition for his journalism throughout his career. He has won 18 Emmy Awards across various categories, reflecting work in both news and documentary programming.[19][20] His two Peabody Awards recognized excellence in electronic media, including his reporting on significant news events.[21]

In 2011, Cooper received the Edward Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club for his outstanding contributions to international journalism. The award is named after Edward R. Murrow, the legendary CBS journalist, and is one of the most significant honors in broadcast journalism.

Cooper received the National Order of Honour and Merit from the Haitian government for his coverage of the 2010 earthquake, the highest honor the country bestows.

In 2016, Cooper became the first openly LGBT person to moderate a U.S. presidential debate, a milestone noted by media organizations and LGBT advocacy groups. He has received multiple GLAAD Media Awards recognizing his contributions to fair and accurate representation of the LGBT community in media.

Cooper was also recognized with a National Headliner Award for his broadcast journalism, particularly for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina and other major news events.[22]

Legacy

Anderson Cooper's career spans more than three decades of American broadcast journalism, during which he has been a consistent presence on cable news through periods of significant transformation in the media industry. His tenure as anchor of Anderson Cooper 360° since 2003 makes the program one of the longest-running current affairs shows anchored continuously by a single host on American cable television.

Cooper's approach to journalism—characterized by on-location reporting from disaster zones and conflict areas rather than studio-based anchoring—influenced a generation of cable news programming. His coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, in which he visibly challenged official narratives while standing amid the destruction, is frequently cited as a defining moment in the relationship between cable news and government accountability during crises. The emotional directness of his reporting during Katrina contributed to broader discussions about the role of journalist objectivity versus advocacy in disaster coverage.

His 2012 decision to publicly come out as gay was a significant cultural moment in American media. As one of the most visible news anchors in the country, Cooper's coming out was covered extensively and contributed to the increasing visibility and normalization of LGBT individuals in positions of public influence. His subsequent role as the first openly LGBT moderator of a presidential debate in 2016 further underscored this impact.

Cooper's February 2026 departure from 60 Minutes drew attention to the ongoing tensions between editorial independence and corporate interests in American journalism. The circumstances surrounding the delayed airing of his South Africa segment prompted discussion in media circles about the pressures facing journalists within large media conglomerates during a period of political polarization.[23]

As of 2026, Cooper continues to anchor Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN, remaining one of the most recognizable figures in American television news.

References

  1. ↑ "Anderson Cooper, the veteran anchor, leaves the set".Financial Times.2026-02-20.https://www.ft.com/content/8342107a-6cf4-4ccf-9833-221e32682e2e.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Anderson Cooper".CNN.http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/cooper.anderson.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ "Anderson Cooper".People.http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20141166,00.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ "Anderson Cooper, the veteran anchor, leaves the set".Financial Times.2026-02-20.https://www.ft.com/content/8342107a-6cf4-4ccf-9833-221e32682e2e.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Anderson Cooper".New York Magazine.http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/14301/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ "Anderson Cooper".Mediabistro.http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a1582.asp.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "National Headliner Award Winners 2005 — Broadcast".National Headliner Awards.http://www.nationalheadlinerawards.com/Winners2005Broadcast.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "Anderson Cooper".AskMen.http://www.askmen.com/specials/2006_top_49/anderson-cooper-41.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "'60 Minutes' Segment MAGA-Curious CBS Boss Tried to Shelve Finally Airs".The Daily Beast.2026-02-23.https://www.thedailybeast.com/60-minutes-segment-maga-curious-cbs-boss-tried-to-shelve-finally-airs/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "'60 Minutes' Finally Airs Explosive Anderson Cooper Report Debunking Major Trump Claim".Yahoo Entertainment.2026-02-22.https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/60-minutes-finally-airs-explosive-141618418.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Anderson Cooper, the veteran anchor, leaves the set".Financial Times.2026-02-20.https://www.ft.com/content/8342107a-6cf4-4ccf-9833-221e32682e2e.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Anderson Cooper, Stephen Colbert and Sean Strickland Draw Scrutiny to Paramount While Bid for Warner Plays Out".Variety.2026-02-20.https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/anderson-cooper-stephen-colbert-sean-strickland-paramount-1236668726/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "As Anderson Cooper exits 60 Minutes expert calls CBS move a 'controlled demolition'".HELLO! Magazine.2026-02-21.https://www.hellomagazine.com/us/885302/exclusive-as-anderson-cooper-exits-60-minutes-expert-calls-cbs-move-a-controlled-demolition/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "CNN's Anderson Cooper in Daytime Talk Show Deal".The New York Times.2010-09-30.http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/cnns-anderson-cooper-in-daytime-talk-show-deal/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "US: Anderson Cooper to host daytime talk show".Media Spy.2010-10-01.http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/10/01/us-anderson-cooper-to-host-daytime-talk-show/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Oprah's Book Club — Anderson Cooper".Oprah.com.http://www.oprah.com/obc/omag/obc_omag_200507_books.jhtml.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "GLAAD".GLAAD.http://www.glaad.org/publications/archive_detail.php?id=49&PHPSESSID=f.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Savvy Andy Cohen Plotting to Go Solo Next New Year's — Without CNN Pal Anderson Cooper".RadarOnline.2026-02-22.https://radaronline.com/p/andy-cohen-solo-new-years-cnn-anderson-cooper/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "27th News and Documentary Emmy Award Winners".Emmy Online.http://www.emmyonline.org/emmy/docu_27th_winners_b.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "28th News and Documentary Emmy Award Nominees".Emmy Online.http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/_txt/news_28th_nominees_all.txt.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ "Peabody Award Winners".Peabody Awards.http://www.peabody.uga.edu/winners/details.php?id=1415.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "National Headliner Award Winners 2005 — Broadcast".National Headliner Awards.http://www.nationalheadlinerawards.com/Winners2005Broadcast.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Anderson Cooper, Stephen Colbert and Sean Strickland Draw Scrutiny to Paramount While Bid for Warner Plays Out".Variety.2026-02-20.https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/anderson-cooper-stephen-colbert-sean-strickland-paramount-1236668726/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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