Anderson Cooper Steps Away From 60 Minutes After Two Decades

After 20 years as a correspondent for one of television’s most storied programs, Anderson Cooper made his final appearance on 60 Minutes in May 2026, closing a chapter that saw him balance two demanding full-time careers while raising his young sons.

Cooper joined 60 Minutes in 2006, becoming part of a show that launched on CBS back in 1968 and has maintained its reputation as a gold standard in investigative journalism. But juggling his daily anchor duties at CNN—where his full-time job remained—with the meticulous, time-intensive work required for 60 Minutes eventually took its toll. The decision came down to what matters most: family.

In a statement to Variety in February 2026, Cooper explained the reasoning with refreshing honesty. His sons, Wyatt (6) and Sebastian (4), whom he coparents with ex Benjamin Maisani, deserve his presence while they still want it. That’s not sentimentality—that’s clarity. He acknowledged the real cost of his arrangement: weekends spent producing stories, vacation time eaten up by reporting, and the constant friction with CNN over time away from the newsroom. It worked for nearly two decades, but the calculus had shifted.

During his final show on May 17, 2026, Cooper reflected on what made 60 Minutes endure where so many other programs haven’t. Independence. Trust with viewers. The willingness to invest time, patience, and resources into stories that matter. He didn’t just say goodbye—he articulated why the show’s foundation matters and expressed hope that it continues to be valued and protected.

Cooper will remain at CNN, where he hosts Anderson Cooper 360°. The departure represents a natural evolution for a journalist who’s already accomplished what most can only dream of, but also a reminder that even sustained excellence sometimes requires sacrifice. In this case, he chose to sacrifice one prestigious platform to reclaim something more precious: time with his kids while they’re young enough to want it.