Anderson Cooper announces he's a father during coronavirus town hall

Anderson Cooper is a dad — surprise! The longtime news anchor, 52, revealed the happy news on Instagram Thursday alongside a slideshow of photos of his son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper. Cooper welcomed Wyatt — who is named after the journalist's father — on Monday via surrogate, he said. The host also revealed his big news on his show Anderson Cooper 360°. Wyatt weighed 7.2 lbs. at birth, "and he is sweet, and soft, and healthy and I am beyond happy," the proud new dad said in his emotional announcement on CNN. "He is named after my father, who died when I was ten," Cooper explained. "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. 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. Wyatt Morgan Cooper. My son." Cooper shared that he never thought fatherhood would be a possibility for him while he was growing up. "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," he wrote. "Most of all, I am grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, and watched over him lovingly, and tenderly, and gave birth to him." "It is an extraordinary blessing - what she, and all surrogates give to families who can't have children," he said. "My surrogate has a beautiful family of her own, a wonderfully supportive husband, and kids, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support they have given Wyatt and me. My family is blessed to have this family in our lives." The CNN anchor added that while he wishes his parents and brother Carter were alive to meet little Wyatt, "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," he said. Congrats, Anderson!

Video Transcript

ANDERSON COOPER: On Monday, I became a father. I've never actually said that before out loud, and it still kind of astonishes me. I'm a dad. I have a son. And I want you to meet him.

KYLIE MAR: Anderson Cooper delivered some good news at the end of the Coronavirus Facts and Fears Global Town Hall on Thursday. This CNN host had just spent two hours discussing the coronavirus, and said it's important to celebrate moments of joy during these times. And what's more joyful than an adorable little baby?

ANDERSON COOPER: That's Wyatt Morgan Cooper, my son. He was 7.2 pounds at birth. And he is sweet, and soft, and healthy. And I am beyond happy.

KYLIE MAR: Wyatt Morgan is a family name. Wyatt was the name of Anderson's father, who died when Anderson was just 10 years old. And Morgan is a family name on his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt's side. Becoming a parent is a special moment in anyone's life, but for Anderson, it was particularly special.

ANDERSON COOPER: As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child. And I'm so grateful for all those who paved the way, and for the doctors, and nurses, and everyone involved in my son's birth. Most of all, I am eternally grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, watched over him lovingly, tenderly, and gave birth to him.

KYLIE MAR: Fans and colleagues took to Twitter to congratulate Anderson. CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins wrote, what a beautiful moment. Anderson Cooper just announced on air that he is now a father. Congrats. Wyatt Morgan Cooper is precious. While another person wrote, God bless. My heart exploded, and the tears won't stop pouring. Congratulations, Anderson. Anderson was clearly filled with joy, although it was a little bittersweet that he couldn't share baby Wyatt with his family.

ANDERSON 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.