CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper Announces Departure from CBS 60 Minutes to Prioritize Family Life and Young Children in the United States

Anderson Cooper is leaving CBS’s legendary 60 Minutes after nearly two decades, deciding to prioritize family over one of television’s most prestigious reporting roles.

At 57, Cooper has chosen not to renew his contract with CBS, closing a remarkable chapter that began in 2007 when he joined the network while already anchoring CNN’s flagship program, Anderson Cooper 360.

His departure marks a major shift for the program, long regarded as a gold standard in investigative journalism, where Cooper reported on some of the world’s most consequential stories.

Family Comes First

Cooper emphasized that his decision is deeply personal and not rooted in professional dissatisfaction.

“Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career.

I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors, and camera crews in the business,” he told People.

The pull of fatherhood, however, has reshaped his priorities.

Cooper is the father of two young sons, Wyatt, 4, and Sebastian, 3, whom he co-parents with his former partner Benjamin Maisani.

The arrangement is built around shared responsibility and devotion, with morning routines that include getting the children’s milk together and spending the first hours of the day as a family.

Cooper has humorously admitted that when Maisani speaks French to the boys, he has no idea what’s being said, joking that “they’re plotting against me.”

A Career Highlight Reel

During his years at 60 Minutes, Cooper’s versatility made him one of the most visible journalists of his generation.

Balancing roles at both CNN and CBS, he contributed to long-form investigative journalism while maintaining his nightly presence on cable news.

His reporting spanned international crises, political developments, and human-interest stories, cementing his reputation for credibility, depth, and versatility.

Even as he departs CBS, Cooper remains anchored at CNN.

He renewed his contract in December 2025 and continues to lead Anderson Cooper 360.

He also remains involved in high-profile CNN events, including the network’s annual New Year’s Eve broadcast alongside co-host Andy Cohen.

CBS Faces Network Shakeups Amid Staff Uncertainty

Cooper’s exit comes at a turbulent time for CBS News.

Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss recently offered buyouts to ununionized staff at the Evening News broadcast, outlining a new vision for the network while signaling ongoing changes.

The announcement arrived amid broader corporate restructuring under Paramount Skydance, which acquired CBS and implemented significant layoffs to cut costs.

Many staffers have expressed anxiety about job security, describing a workplace environment where feedback can feel risky and tension is palpable.

Weiss Charts a New Course for CBS

Bari Weiss has been clear about her goals for CBS.

She aims to expand the network’s reach while maintaining a centrist approach that appeals to both left-leaning and right-leaning audiences.

Weiss acknowledges that CBS’s current programming is not engaging enough viewers and has emphasized modernizing the network for the 21st century.

Her leadership has faced scrutiny, including claims of bias and concerns over editorial decisions, such as postponing a 60 Minutes segment on migrant deportations to El Salvador.

Weiss maintains that the delay was due to a need for further reporting rather than political considerations.

Meanwhile, veteran anchor Gayle King publicly expressed support for Weiss’s vision, encouraging colleagues to embrace improvements while staying true to the network’s journalistic mission.

What’s Next?

For Anderson Cooper, the next chapter is more personal than professional, centered on his children and family life.

While he will no longer appear on 60 Minutes, his role at CNN remains prominent, and he will continue shaping nightly news coverage and major events.

CBS, meanwhile, continues to navigate internal changes and a shifting audience landscape under Weiss’s leadership.

The coming months will reveal how the network’s strategy resonates with viewers and how its newsroom adjusts to new leadership and ongoing restructuring.

Summary

Anderson Cooper’s departure from CBS 60 Minutes ends an 18-year tenure marked by high-profile investigative reporting and a rare dual role in network and cable journalism.

His decision is driven by a desire to focus on his young children, highlighting a commitment to family alongside a storied career.

CBS News is undergoing a period of significant transition under Bari Weiss, with staff buyouts, editorial restructuring, and a push to modernize content for wider audiences.

As Cooper embraces fatherhood and CBS navigates its next chapter, both stories reflect the evolving demands of news media and the personal choices behind public figures’ careers.