MANILA, Philippines — At 52 years old, renowned journalist and news anchor Anderson Cooper has finally become a father as he welcomes his first son, Wyatt Morgan, into the world through the help of a surrogate mother.
“I want to share with you some joyful news. On Monday, I became a father. This is Wyatt Cooper. He is three days old,” Cooper said on Instagram on Friday.
“I know my mom and dad liked the name Morgan because I recently found a list they made 52 years ago when they were trying to think of names for me. He is named after my father, who died when I was ten. I hope I can be as good a dad as he was. My son’s middle name is Morgan. It’s a family name on my mom’s side,” he added.
Wyatt Morgan weighed 7.2 pounds at birth and is “sweet, soft, and healthy,” according to the doting father.
“As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and I’m grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son’s birth,” Cooper stressed.
Cooper also expressed his gratitude to the “remarkable surrogate” of his child, noting that what she and other surrogates give is an “extraordinary blessing” for families who are unable to have children.
He likewise expressed regret that his parents and brother were not alive to meet his son. Cooper’s mother, actress and heiress Gloria Vanderbilt died in July at age 95. However, he still has two half-brothers from her mother’s previous marriage.
“I do wish my mom and dad and my brother, Carter, were alive to meet Wyatt, but I like to believe they can see him. I imagine them all together, arms around each other, smiling and laughing, happy to know that their love is alive in me and in Wyatt, and that our family continues,” Cooper stressed.
Fellow journalist and friend Bryan Stetler also joined in welcoming Wyatt Morgan and shared a clip of Cooper breaking the news on-air earlier today via Twitter.
“Welcome Wyatt Morgan Cooper! @AndersonCooper’s son was born on Monday. New life, new love,” Stetler said.
Welcome Wyatt Morgan Cooper! @AndersonCooper's son was born on Monday. New life, new love. pic.twitter.com/L3Af2TtYAq
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 1, 2020