You’ve seen him in a tight t-shirt dodging debris in a hurricane or sitting across from a world leader with that signature "I’m listening but I’m skeptical" head tilt. Most of us feel like we know the guy. He’s the silver-haired face of CNN, a Vanderbilt, and one-half of the funniest, booziest New Year’s Eve broadcast on television.
But honestly? Anderson Cooper personal life is a lot less "Gilded Age heir" and a lot more "unconventional dad trying to figure out the laundry." There are so many misconceptions about how he lives, who he dates, and where all that Vanderbilt money went. Let's peel back the curtain a bit.
The Co-Parenting Setup No One Expected
If you’re looking for a traditional domestic scene, you won't find it at Anderson’s place. He’s currently single—and he’s been pretty vocal about the fact that he isn't exactly swiping right on anyone. In a December 2025 chat with Andy Cohen, he basically said he’s just trying to get through the day and isn't looking for a romantic partner.
Instead, he’s built this incredibly tight-knit, slightly "unusual" family unit with his ex-boyfriend, Benjamin Maisani. They split as a couple back in 2018, but they still live together. Yeah, you read that right. They are "partners in parenthood."
- Wyatt Morgan Maisani-Cooper: Born via surrogate in April 2020.
- Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper: Arrived in February 2022.
Benjamin actually legally adopted Wyatt, which is why the kids carry both last names. It’s a setup born out of Anderson’s own childhood trauma. Losing his dad, Wyatt Cooper, when he was only 10 left a massive hole in his life. He’s said before that he wanted his kids to be surrounded by as much love as possible, even if the parents aren't "together" in the legal sense. It’s about creating a safety net he didn't feel he had.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Dane Witherspoon: His Life and Passing Explained
The Myth of the Vanderbilt Billions
Everyone assumes Anderson is sitting on a mountain of railroad gold. It makes sense, right? He’s the great-great-great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt. But the reality is a bit more... modest? Well, relatively speaking.
When his mother, the legendary Gloria Vanderbilt, passed away in 2019, the public expected a nine-figure inheritance. Instead, the will revealed Anderson inherited about $1.5 million.
Where did the rest go?
- Lavish Spending: Gloria lived a big life. She loved beauty and art more than spreadsheets.
- Philanthropy: She gave away huge sums over her 95 years.
- Legal Battles: Between four divorces and being embezzled by a lawyer and a psychiatrist, the "Vanderbilt fortune" had mostly evaporated by the time it reached the 21st century.
Anderson has actually said he’s glad there wasn't a massive trust fund. He thinks it would have killed his drive. Basically, the $20 million a year he pulls in from CNN is money he actually earned, not just a gift from the Commodore.
📖 Related: Why Taylor Swift People Mag Covers Actually Define Her Career Eras
The "Cheapskate" Reputation
Believe it or not, Anderson is kind of a penny-pincher. He’s admitted on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that his son Wyatt spent his early years wearing hand-me-downs from Andy Cohen’s son, Ben. He likes a "good value." There's something kind of human about one of the most famous news anchors in the world refusing to buy new baby clothes because his buddy had some spares in the attic.
Grief as a Creative Engine
You can't talk about Anderson Cooper personal life without talking about the "ghosts" in his house. For decades, he stayed pretty quiet about the heavy stuff, but lately, he’s cracked that door wide open.
His brother, Carter, died by suicide in 1988, jumping from a balcony right in front of their mother. That kind of thing doesn't just go away. Anderson has admitted that he spent almost 40 years burying his grief just to survive. It wasn't until he started his podcast, All There Is, that he really started processing it.
He recently shared that he’s listened to over 6,000 voicemails from people talking about their own losses. He even calls some of them back. It’s turned his personal tragedy into a sort of public service. He’s found that "the wound is the route to the gift"—a concept he discussed with Stephen Colbert that really seemed to change his perspective on why he’s so driven to cover war zones and disasters. He’s looking for the people who survived because he’s still trying to understand how he did.
👉 See also: Does Emmanuel Macron Have Children? The Real Story of the French President’s Family Life
What His Life Looks Like Now (2026)
Right now, life is less about "The Vanderbilt Legacy" and more about the "Maisani-Cooper Chaos."
- The Daily Grind: He’s still the anchor of AC360, but his schedule is built around being a dad.
- The Best Friend Factor: His friendship with Andy Cohen is the real deal. They aren't just TV partners; they’re neighbors and fellow "dad-bloggers" in their private lives.
- The New York Lifestyle: He still calls New York City home, living in a converted firehouse that he’s owned for years.
He’s reached a point where he’s no longer the "young" correspondent. He’s the veteran who goes home to toddlers. He’s stopped trying to be the perfect heir and started being the guy who’s okay with a messy, non-traditional, but very full house.
Next Steps for You
If you want to understand the man behind the desk a bit better, here is what I recommend doing:
- Listen to the "All There Is" podcast: Specifically the episodes where he talks to Stephen Colbert or Andrew Garfield. It’s the most "real" Anderson you’ll ever get.
- Read "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty": It’s his own account of how the family lost $400 million and why he’s okay with that.
- Check out his Instagram for the "Dad Content": If you need a break from the news, his posts about Wyatt and Sebastian are genuinely sweet and show the "hand-me-down" lifestyle in action.