CNN’s Anderson Cooper announces birth of son: ‘Hold on to moments of joy’

CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Thursday announced on-air that he is now the father of a healthy baby boy.

Wyatt Morgan Cooper was born Monday, weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces. He is Cooper’s first child.

“It has 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. Even as we mourn the loss of loved ones, we’re also blessed with new life and new love,” Cooper told viewers Thursday night.

“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.”

CNN’s @AndersonCooper is a dad.

“On Monday I became a father. I’ve never said that out loud and it astonishes me,” he said Thursday at the end of the #CNNTownHall.

Wyatt Morgan Cooper was born on Monday, weighing just over 7 pounds. https://t.co/JAlmnm23lZ pic.twitter.com/TuleKwvYpO

— CNN (@CNN) May 1, 2020

Cooper explained that his son is named after his father, whose first name was also Wyatt, saying, “I hope I can be as good a dad as he was.”

Morgan is a family name on his mother’s side, Cooper said, adding that he recently found the name on a list of baby names that his parents considered for himself.

“He is sweet and soft and healthy, and I am beyond happy,” Cooper said. “As a gay kid I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and 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.  

Cooper said he is “eternally grateful” to the surrogate who gave birth to Wyatt, also thanking her husband and children for supporting her through the process.

He also reflected on his own family members who have died: his mother, Gloria Venderbilt; his father, Wyatt Emory Cooper, and his brother, Carter Cooper.

“I do wish my mom and my dad and my brother Carter were alive to meet Wyatt, but I 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 new life and new love.”  

CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, a father of three, joined Cooper on air to celebrate the announcement, showing off a new stuffed CNN satellite truck toy for the baby from “Uncle Sanjay.”

“I’m so, so happy for you. I am just, I’m thrilled for you,” Gupta said.