Anderson Cooper Welcomes a Baby Boy

Journalist and CNN News Anchor Anderson Cooper is a dad!

He announced on his show the evening of April 30 that he had welcomed a baby boy. Wyatt Morgan Cooper was born on Monday at 7 pounds and 2 ounces via surrogate, he said. He’s named after Cooper’s own dad, who died when he was 10 years old.

“It’s 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,” Cooper said in a two-minute segment. “Even as we mourn the loss of loved ones, we’re also blessed with new life and new love.”

He went on to explain that Morgan is a family name and he had seen it on a list of names his own parents were thinking about when he was born.

“I hope I can be as good a dad as he was,” Cooper, 52, said, referring to his father. “As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child and I am so grateful to all of those who paved the way and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son’s birth. He is sweet and soft and healthy and I am beyond happy.”

He continued that he wished his family was here to meet his new son. “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 in new life and new love.”

Congrats to the family!