'As a gay kid, I never thought I'd have a child': Anderson Cooper welcomes baby boy after surrogate birth
CNN anchor and journalist Anderson Cooper announced the birth of his son Wyatt Cooper on Thursday, April 30. He took to his Instagram handle to announce the exciting news and also shared a picture of his baby.
He told his fans and followers, "As a gay kid, I never thought I'd have a child. 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."
"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," he had captioned the image. "It is an extraordinary blessing - what she and all surrogates give to families who can't have children."
"Wyatt Morgan Cooper. My son. He was 7.2 lbs at birth, and he is sweet, and soft, and healthy and I am beyond happy," Cooper added.
Towards the end of Thursday's weekly global town hall on the coronavirus pandemic, CNN's Cooper shared some pictures of his newborn son. He told viewers, "It has been a difficult time in all of our lives and there are certainly many hard days ahead."
"It is, I think, especially important in these times of trouble to try to hold on to moments of joy and moments of happiness. Even as we mourn the loss of loved ones, we are also blessed with new life and new love," he shared.
The news of Cooper's baby came as a surprise to CNN viewers given Cooper had never publicly discussed having/wanting a child. Cooper's own father passed away when he was just 10 years old and so, he named his son after his father, Wyatt.
His son's middle name, Morgan, comes from a name on Cooper's mother Gloria Vanderbilt's family tree. Gloria had passed away last year. "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," he shared on his Instagram post.
Cooper said, "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 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," Cooper added.
Social media users were ecstatic at the news and took to commenting on Cooper's post to wish him and the little one well. One such user shared, "I’m so thrilled for you! Wyatt is beautiful! He looks right at home in your arms. Congratulations!!"
A second user chimed in, "U will be such a great dad. 👆💥 I’m so happy for u....and the little man!!" A third user commented saying, "Ohhhhhhhh Anderson!!! This is incredible!! God Bless you & Wyatt ...beyond thrilled for you!!!"
"What a smile!! So thrilled for you guys :) this is beyond joyful" wrote a fourth.