Anderson Cooper, the famous CNN anchor, and his ex-boyfriend, Benjamin Maisani, have managed to create a unique and successful co-parenting partnership for their two children. Despite no longer being a couple, they share a deep bond, and both are devoted to raising their kids together.
Anderson lives in a fire station he converted into a beautiful home, where he and his children, Wyatt and Sebastian, have made countless memories. The transformation of this firehouse, purchased back in 2010, has been a long-term project.
Anderson took great care in making the space personal, ensuring everything in the house had a meaning. The home is filled with items from his family’s past, from photographs of his late mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, to artifacts handed down through generations.
Anderson opened his doors to fans on many occasions, including a special tour of his home in June 2020, where he showed off his son Wyatt’s nursery. It was decorated with thoughtful touches like a painting by Gloria Vanderbilt and even Anderson’s handprint as a child.
On February 10, 2022, Anderson proudly announced the birth of his second child, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, on his show, Anderson Cooper 360.
“This is Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper. He was 6.8 pounds at birth, and he’s healthy and happy, even his occasional hiccups are to me adorable. He mostly just sleeps, and eats and poops, but he already seems like a wise and thoughtful little champ,” Anderson shared with joy.
He also expressed his gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and especially the surrogate mother, who carried Sebastian and made their family complete.
Before Sebastian was born, Anderson and Benjamin had already welcomed their first son, Wyatt, in 2020. When Anderson announced Wyatt’s arrival, he did so live on CNN, breaking the news to the world with a special message.
Two years later, both dads were adjusting to their growing family. Anderson described the experience of watching Wyatt bond with his little brother:
“They seem to be getting along really well. I mean, ‘Getting along well’ — Sebastian sleeps. He can’t say Sebastian yet, he calls him Luke. So every morning he wants to go say ‘Good morning, Luke,'” Anderson shared on Live with Kelly and Ryan.
Even with the challenges of being a single parent, Anderson took paternity leave to care for his newborn, spending those precious first weeks bonding with his sons. He spoke fondly of the experience, telling Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa, “It’s great to be able to come home and decompress.”
Every night, Anderson and Wyatt shared a special moment. “And every night to be able to feed Wyatt and give him his milk, he falls asleep on my chest, and there’s nothing better.” They also had their own morning ritual, starting their day with breakfast at a diner, followed by a swim.
The quiet moments spent reading to his boys, preparing them for their afternoon nap, were some of Anderson’s happiest times.
Despite their past romantic split, Anderson and Benjamin have made co-parenting look effortless. “We’re a family,” Anderson declared. Even though they were no longer together, they made sure to remain in each other’s lives for the sake of their children.
Benjamin has been actively involved since Wyatt’s birth, taking care of the children when Anderson is at work and sharing the responsibility of getting up early to care for them. Anderson revealed that Benjamin even speaks French to the kids, further strengthening their family bond.
Wyatt calls Benjamin “papa,” and Anderson is “daddy.” This loving dynamic is more than just a co-parenting arrangement – it’s a testament to their enduring friendship and commitment to raising their children in a stable, supportive environment.
Anderson also shared that Benjamin was legally adopting Wyatt, which meant Wyatt’s last name would change to Maisani-Cooper, just like Sebastian’s.
During an emotional interview in September 2023, Anderson reflected on how being a father had changed his life. “This is the best time in my life. There is no doubt about it,” he said, expressing his joy in becoming a parent.
Anderson and Benjamin’s story started back in 2009 when they began dating. By 2015, they had gone public with their relationship. However, in 2018, they parted ways. Despite this, Anderson made it clear that their bond remained strong.
“Maisani is going to be a co-parent to Wyatt even though we’re not together anymore. He’s my family, and I want him to be Wyatt’s family as well,” Anderson explained. Their relationship may have changed, but their commitment to one another as co-parents never wavered.
In an interview in September 2021, Anderson was open about their unique situation, saying, “It’s probably an unusual setup, but I knew he would be a great dad, and he is. We’re exes, but we’re family to each other, and we love each other as family and as co-parents.”
Anderson also spoke candidly about their past. “I’ve always believed that if you’ve been with somebody and that ends, in terms of an intimate relationship, if you love somebody, there’s no reason why that love shouldn’t continue.”
In fact, their relationship had gone through many changes, especially when it came to starting a family. Anderson explained that Benjamin had initially been unsure about having children, which led to their breakup. However, once Benjamin came around to the idea of fatherhood, he became a wonderful parent.
The couple’s journey of co-parenting has not been without challenges. In a February 2021 interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Anderson explained how their relationship evolved over time.
“It’s interesting, because he wasn’t really sure he wanted to have a kid—which is one of the reasons we probably broke up—but then, he came around to the idea. Now he is such a great parent.”
.@andersoncooper still has newspapers delivered every morning: “I find it comforting" https://t.co/ysiIHeM9Tw pic.twitter.com/QdwgHwwCAX
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 13, 2018
Anderson’s journey of parenthood has not only been about his relationship with Benjamin. He’s also shared deep insights into his own past. When he gave fans a tour of his firehouse home, Anderson revealed the emotional history behind some of the decor.
Among the items in Wyatt’s nursery was a painting by his late mother and an image of his brother, Carter, who tragically died by suicide in 1988. Anderson has spoken about his grief over the loss of both his brother and mother, and how it has shaped his view of family.
.@THR trails @andersoncooper – the busiest man in TV news – as he bounces back and forth from his West Village firehouse to CNN, interviewing nervous White House staffers, planning trips to hotspots and FaceTime-ing with his old buddy @Andy Cohen https://t.co/qd4bWjkUVa pic.twitter.com/vLXIxYgD9W
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 13, 2018
Despite the challenges of losing loved ones, Anderson has found solace in his sons.
“It has certainly made me feel less alone,” he said, reflecting on the ways his podcast All There Is With Anderson Cooper helped him confront his grief. Through it all, Anderson has shown that family comes in all forms, and love has the power to endure through even the most difficult times.
