Anderson Cooper’s Net Worth, Height, Age, & Personal Info Wiki

Anderson Cooper is a prominent American journalist, television personality, and author best known for his work as a news anchor for CNN. From dangerous war zones to the political whirlwind of elections, and even amid the heart-wrenching scenes of natural disasters, Cooper has been there, sharing stories that matter. With that, the TV news anchor receives numerous accolades throughout his journalistic work. Over time, his name has become synonymous with integrity in journalism, and he became renowned for his calm demeanor, incisive interviewing skills, and commitment to objective reporting.

Facts About Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)

Anderson Cooper’s Net Worth

As of 2023, Anderson Cooper’s net worth is estimated to be $50 million. His primary source of income is his profession as a TV news anchor for CNN. Cooper has covered nearly all-major news events worldwide, often reporting from the scene. Not only that, but he later gained his own nightly newscast on CNN named “Anderson Cooper 360°,” which is a provocative newscast that goes beyond the headlines with in-depth reporting and investigations from multiple points of view.

His other source of income include being an author, having to publish multiple books such as “Dispatches from the Edge,” “Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty,” “Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune,” and “The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss.”

Anderson Cooper’s Personal Life

In 2012, Anderson Cooper publicly revealed he is “openly gay.” He even gave Andrew Sullivan permission to publish an email that stated, in part: “I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something—something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed, or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true. … 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.” Before coming out as gay, he first turned to Apple CEO Tim Cook for advice.

One of his most known relationships was with Benjamin Maisani in 2014 after they bought an old house in Connecticut called Rye House. By 2018, they had broken up. On a personal note, Anderson shared some big news in 2020 when he said he had a son named Wyatt Morgan Cooper, born via surrogate. Even though he and Benjamin are not together, they still share parenting duties. In fact, Benjamin was right there in the room when Wyatt was born. Wyatt’s named after Anderson’s dad and also has a name from Anderson’s mom’s side of the family.

Fast forward to 2022, and Anderson had more happy news. He shared on CNN that he’s now a dad to another boy named Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper. Benjamin is planning to adopt Wyatt, and soon, Wyatt’s last name will also be Maisani-Cooper.

Anderson Cooper’s Early Life

Anderson Hays Cooper, famously known as Anderson Cooper, was born in New York City on June 3, 1967, and comes from the famous Vanderbilt family. His mom, Gloria Vanderbilt, was a well-known artist, and his dad, Wyatt Emory Cooper, was a writer. Anderson’s family has deep roots in American history, with ancestors like Cornelius Vanderbilt, who was a big name in shipping and railroads.

Anderson wasn’t the only child. He had an older brother, Carter, and two older half-brothers, Stan and Christopher, from his mom’s previous marriage to conductor Leopold Stokowski. Tragically, when Anderson was in his early 20s, Carter took his own life. This event deeply affected Anderson and his family. In fact, his mom wrote a book about it, sharing her thoughts on what might have caused it. After this tragedy, Anderson felt a pull towards journalism.

Anderson went to Dalton School in Manhattan. At 17, he left school early to travel to Africa, where he got malaria and was treated in Kenya. He then wrote about his experience, “Africa was a place to forget and be forgotten in.” Later on, he went to Yale University. There, he was part of a rowing team and joined a club called the “Manuscript Society.” He studied political science and got his degree in 1989.

Anderson Cooper’s Career

TV News Anchor

Anderson Cooper’s first exposure to media was as a baby when he was photographed for Harper’s Bazaar. As a child, he appeared on TV shows and modeled for brands like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. After graduating from Yale, he struggled to start his on-air reporting career, leading him to enter Myanmar with a fake press pass. This was during his tenure as a fact-checker for Channel One, a youth-oriented news program.

Cooper later spent a year in Vietnam, filming local stories. By the early ’90s, he covered significant events like the Rwandan genocide. The emotional toll of witnessing such horrors led him to seek less intense assignments. He joined ABC News in 1995 and later hosted the reality show “The Mole.” He also occasionally co-hosted “Live with Regis and Kelly.” In 2001, Cooper moved to CNN. Starting as a co-anchor on “American Morning,” he eventually launched “Anderson Cooper 360°” in 2003. His approach to anchoring is genuine, preferring authenticity over the traditional authoritative anchor persona.

In 2005, Cooper reported on significant events like the Sri Lanka tsunami, the Cedar Revolution, the passing of Pope John Paul II, and the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla. He also reported on the Niger famine and famously criticized government officials on CNN for their response to Hurricane Katrina. This passionate coverage boosted his reputation. Due to a tumultuous hurricane season, CNN’s NewsNight expanded to 120 minutes by September of that same year. Cooper’s role grew, resulting in a ratings boost and a reshuffling of programming. Aaron Brown left CNN, making way for Cooper’s rise.

By 2007, Cooper earned $4 million annually with CNN and started hosting “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute.” He also launched “Planet in Peril” documentaries alongside Sanjay Gupta and others. In 2010, he explored daytime TV by hosting a talk show named “Anderson Live.” It ran for two seasons but ended due to low ratings. Around the same time, Cooper and Andy Cohen launched a conversational stage tour named AC2, which gained traction.

In 2016, Cooper notably became the first openly LGBT person to moderate a presidential debate. He also provided narration for a 2011 Broadway show starring Daniel Radcliffe and later launched a primetime series in 2023 called “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper.”

Author

Anderson Cooper started as a freelance writer, contributing to magazines like Details. In 2006, he wrote a memoir, “Dispatches from the Edge,” discussing his experiences in places like Sri Lanka and Iraq; it became a New York Times bestseller. Later in 2017, he co-wrote a memoir with his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, titled “The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss.” Based on their email exchanges, it delves into their personal histories and also became a best-seller.

Net Worth of Other Notable TV News Reporters

Chris Cuomo’s Net Worth

Chris Cuomo, an American TV journalist and lawyer, gained prominence hosting CNN’s “Cuomo Prime Time.” Hailing from New York’s notable political Cuomo family, Chris’s father, Mario, and brother, Andrew, both served as governors of New York. Before his tenure at CNN, Chris contributed to ABC News, emphasizing law and justice issues and co-anchoring “20/20.” With a net worth estimated at $16 million as of 2023, he’s had an impactful career, interviewing significant personalities and covering critical events. Yet, his career has not been without controversy, from aiding his brother Andrew during a scandal to facing allegations of sexual misconduct, eventually leading to his dismissal from CNN. Chris Cuomo’s net worth reflects his significant influence and tenure in journalism.

Wolf Blitzer’s Net Worth

Wolf Blitzer, an emblematic figure in journalism, is synonymous with CNN, having reported on global events ranging from U.S. elections to profound international crises. Beginning his journalistic endeavors in the 1970s, Blitzer’s vast career has seen him in various capacities, from being a correspondent for The Jerusalem Post to anchoring his renowned show, “The Situation Room.” Beyond his prolific TV career, Blitzer is also an accomplished author, having written about consequential events like the Jonathan Pollard espionage case. His personal journey begins in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany, born to Polish Jewish refugees who narrowly escaped Auschwitz’s atrocities. After relocating to the U.S., he was nurtured in Buffalo, New York, and pursued higher education, mastering in International Relations. This deep foundation, paired with his commitment to balanced journalism, has propelled him into the limelight, making Wolf Blitzer’s net worth an impressive $25 million.