Anderson Cooper’s candid reason for asking his ex-boyfriend to co-parent his son is an emotional gut-punch
Anderson Cooper shared snapshots of he and his baby boy, Wyatt, together in a heartfelt Instagram post. (Instagram)
Anderson Cooper has explained why he is co-parenting his new son with ex-boyfriend Benjamin Maisani, despite their separation.
The CNN anchor revealed earlier this month that he has welcomed a son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, who was born via a surrogate in the midst of the pandemic.
Cooper revealed that Maisani, his former partner of ten years, would be his co-parent “even though we’re not together anymore”.
In a SiriusXM interview with Howard Stern, Cooper was pressed on why he wasn’t seeking a “clean break” from his relationship – and gave a surprisingly emotional answer.
‘My ex will co-parent because I don’t have a family.’
He explained: “I don’t really have a family, and so my friends become my family.
“This is somebody I was involved with for ten years, he’s a great guy, we didn’t work out as a couple, but I want somebody [involved].
“When I was a little kid, it was just my mum and my brother, and I wish some adult after my dad died had stepped in and been like, ‘I’ll take you to a ball game,’ or, ‘Let’s go out to lunch.’ No one ever did that.
“So, I thought, if something happens to me, or even if something doesn’t happen to me, if more people love my son and are in his life, I’m all for that. My ex is a great guy, and I think it’s good to have two parents if you can.”
Cooper’s mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, died last year.
Elsewhere in the interview, Cooper confirmed that he’s officially a daddy – while Maisani will serve as papa.
The host explained: “My ex is French, and he’s going to speak in French to the kid, so he’s going to be papa, and I think I’ll be dad or daddy.
“He’s already speaking French to him, and I have no idea what he’s saying. He could be turning the kid against me, I don’t know!”
(Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Sir Elton John surprised Anderson Cooper after birth of his son.
Cooper previously revealed that Sir Elton John called him to congratulate him on becoming a father.
Speaking to his friend Andy Cohen earlier this week, he said: “I got a call from Elton John, and I was like, oh my God! You know, I’ve interviewed him a few times and stuff over the years, but [I wasn’t expecting it].”
Cohen, who welcomed his own son Ben in 2019, revealed that Sir Elton also sent him a gift when he became a father – quipping that he was “welcoming you officially to the gay dads club”.
The Watch What Happens Live host continued: “I love it that he called. He sent me this Gucci shirt and Gucci shorts [for Ben] and I was like, ‘How cool!’
“I’ve met Elton John once so maybe he is kinda welcoming us into the gay dads club.”
