Childhood and Education Journey of Anderson Cooper in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Anderson Cooper. From birth to education, explore key events.

Anderson Cooper is a prominent American broadcast journalist and political commentator, best known as the anchor of CNN's 'Anderson Cooper 360°' and a correspondent for CBS News' '60 Minutes.' He graduated from Yale University and started his career traveling and filming war zones for Channel One News. Before joining CNN, he worked for ABC News in various roles, including correspondent, co-anchor, and even briefly as a reality game show host. His career spans serious journalism and more mainstream media appearances.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1950: Birth of Leopold Stokowski

In 1950, Anderson Cooper's half-brother, Leopold Stanislaus "Stan" Stokowski, was born.

1952: Birth of Christopher Stokowski

In 1952, Anderson Cooper's half-brother, Christopher Stokowski, was born.

June 3, 1967: Anderson Cooper Born

On June 3, 1967, Anderson Hays Cooper was born. He is an American broadcast journalist and political commentator.

September 17, 1970: Guest on The Tonight Show

On September 17, 1970, at the age of three, Anderson Cooper appeared on The Tonight Show with his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt.

January 5, 1978: Death of Wyatt Emory Cooper

On January 5, 1978, Anderson Cooper's father, Wyatt Emory Cooper, died at the age of 50 following heart surgery.

July 22, 1988: Death of Carter Vanderbilt Cooper

On July 22, 1988, Anderson Cooper's older brother, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, died by suicide at the age of 23.

1989: Graduated from Yale University

In 1989, Anderson Cooper graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and began traveling the world to film war-torn regions for Channel One News.

1992: Filmed Stories from Somalia, Bosnia, and Rwanda

In 1992, Anderson Cooper filmed stories from Somalia, Bosnia, and Rwanda for Channel One.

2008: Cooper Reveals Dyslexia

In 2008, Anderson Cooper told Oprah Winfrey that he had dyslexia as a child.

July 2, 2012: Cooper Publicly Acknowledges Being Gay

On July 2, 2012, Anderson Cooper gave Andrew Sullivan permission to publish an email confirming he is gay, becoming "the most prominent openly gay journalist on American television" at the time.

2012: Came Out as Gay

In 2012, Anderson Cooper came out as gay, becoming "the most prominent gay journalist on American television".

2014: Purchased Rye House

In 2014, Anderson Cooper and his long-term partner at the time, Benjamin Maisani, purchased Rye House, a historic estate in Connecticut.

2014: Appeared in Finding Your Roots

In 2014, Anderson Cooper appeared in Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s Finding Your Roots, learning about an ancestor, Burwell Boykin, who was a slave owner.

2014: Advised Tim Cook on Coming Out

In 2014, Apple CEO Tim Cook sought Anderson Cooper's advice before publicly coming out as gay.

March 2018: Split Up with Benjamin Maisani

In March 2018, Anderson Cooper confirmed that he and Benjamin Maisani had split up.

June 8, 2018: Tribute to Anthony Bourdain

After Anthony Bourdain died by suicide on June 8, 2018, Anderson Cooper paid tribute to him in a CNN special program, Remembering Anthony Bourdain.

April 30, 2020: Announced the Birth of His Son

On April 30, 2020, Anderson Cooper announced the birth of his son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, born via surrogate on April 27, during a CNN Town Hall on his show, Anderson Cooper 360°.

Loading Video...

2020: Tribute to Bourdain on Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving 2020, Anderson Cooper paid tribute to Anthony Bourdain on Anderson Cooper Full Circle, expressing his pride in calling him a friend and noting that he is missed by many.

Loading Video...

2021: Published Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty

In 2021, Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe published "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty", a history of the Vanderbilt family.

Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty

Check it on Amazon

February 10, 2022: Announced the birth of his second son

On February 10, 2022, Anderson Cooper announced the birth of his second son, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, on his show on CNN. Benjamin Maisani is in the process of adopting Cooper's son Wyatt.

Loading Video...

2022: Launched podcast exploring grief and loss

In 2022, Anderson Cooper launched a podcast where he interviews other notable people on their experiences with grief. The podcast was inspired by the losses in his own life, including his father, brother, and mother.