Major congrats are in order for Anderson Cooper! The television anchor is officially a proud father to a baby boy.
Cooper announced the big news on Thursday night during his show Anderson Cooper 360, sharing the first photo of his son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper. Afterward, he posted a slideshow of photos on Instagram, accompanied by a lengthy caption that revealed the story behind the newborn’s name.
“I want to share with you some joyful news. On Monday, I became a father,” he began the post. “This is Wyatt Cooper. He is three days old. He is named after my father, who died when I was ten. I hope I can be as good a dad as he was. 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. 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.”
The 52-year-old also opened up about the process of becoming a father and how grateful he is for his surrogate (who was unnamed), as well as the doctors and nurses who made it all possible.
“As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and 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,” he continued. “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. It is an extraordinary blessing —what she, and all surrogates give to families who can't have children. My surrogate has a beautiful family of her own, a wonderfully supportive husband, and kids, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support they have given Wyatt and me. My family is blessed to have this family in our lives.”
Welcome to the world, Wyatt!