Anderson Cooper recently became a dad through surrogacy and he will be co-parenting his newborn son with his ex-boyfriend Benjamin Maisani.
The CNN journalist, and host of Anderson Cooper 360, welcomed a son he named Wyatt Morgan in late April. Cooper has been slowly giving more details about the birth and his plans for his baby. He told radio host Howard Stern it was important to him for his son to have as many parental figures in his life as possible which is where Maisani comes in.
The friendly exes will be raising baby Wyatt together as co-parents. Cooper's own childhood affected his somewhat unusual decision. Cooper's father passed away when he was just 10 years old during heart surgery. According to Cooper, no other adult stepped-up to help his mom, socialite and artist Gloria Vanderbilt, raise him and his brother after the death and it was hard on them all.
In Cooper's mind having more than one parent is what he wants so Maisani will be involved. He told Stern, "If more people love my son and are in his life, I'm all for that. My ex is a great guy, and I think it's good to have two parents if you can."
The couple dated for ten years before parting ways. Their plan includes Wyatt calling Cooper "dad" or "daddy." Maisani, 47, who is French, will speak french to Wyatt and will be affectionately known as "papa."
Cooper has always wanted to be a dad and was able to tell his famous mother about his plans to become one before she passed away last summer. His son's name, Wyatt Morgan, honors both of his parents. Wyatt was his father's name and Morgan is a name his mother had always loved.
It seems like little Wyatt is already very much wanted and loved. We have no doubt that Cooper and Maisani will both be great dads and raise Wyatt in a loving and nurturing environment. Welcome to the world Wyatt! And welcome to parenthood, Anderson.