Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani: What Most People Get Wrong

If you’re scrolling through Instagram and see a photo of Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani together, you might assume they’re just another power couple. They look the part. They’re sharp, successful, and clearly comfortable in each other’s orbit. But honestly, the truth is way more interesting than a standard celebrity romance.

They aren't "together." Not in the way most people think.

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The silver-haired CNN anchor and the French-born nightclub mogul actually broke up years ago. 2018, to be exact. Yet, here we are in 2026, and they are still living together, raising two kids together, and basically redefining what "family" looks like when the romantic spark has fizzled out. It’s a setup that would make most exes break out in hives. For them? It’s just Tuesday.

The Breakup That Wasn’t an Ending

Most breakups are messy. There’s the awkward splitting of the record collection, the "who gets the mutual friends" debate, and usually a healthy dose of ghosting. Anderson and Benjamin did the opposite.

They started dating back in 2009. For nearly a decade, Benjamin Maisani was the steady presence behind the scenes while Anderson was hopping on planes to war zones or disaster sites. They were private—kinda famously so—until they started hitting red carpets around 2015. When they finally announced their split in March 2018, the statement was surprisingly tender. They said they were still family. People usually say that to save face, but these two actually meant it.

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The real shift happened when Anderson decided to pursue fatherhood.

During their relationship, Benjamin wasn't always sure he wanted kids. That’s a dealbreaker for a lot of people. But when Anderson moved forward with surrogacy as a single dad, something clicked for Benjamin. He didn't just stay in the picture; he jumped into the deep end.

Co-Parenting Under One Roof

When Wyatt Morgan Maisani-Cooper was born in 2020, Benjamin was right there in the delivery room. Think about that for a second. Your ex, whom you’ve been broken up with for two years, is the first person you want holding the baby.

Anderson has been very open about why he chose this path. He lost his own father, Wyatt Cooper, when he was only ten years old. He knows the weight of that absence. Basically, he wanted his son to have as much love around him as possible. If that meant co-parenting with an ex-boyfriend, so be it.

By the time their second son, Sebastian Luke, arrived in February 2022, the arrangement was set in stone.

• The Titles: Anderson is "Daddy." Benjamin is "Papa."
• The Language: Benjamin speaks French to the boys. Anderson jokes that he has no clue what they’re saying and suspects they’re plotting against him.
• The Legal Stuff: Benjamin didn't just stick around; he legally adopted the boys. Their last names are hyphenated to reflect both fathers.

They share a home in New York City and a place in Connecticut. It’s a "partner in parenthood" vibe. They wake up, give the kids their milk, and handle the morning rush together before Anderson heads off to prep for Anderson Cooper 360. It’s a tag-team effort that works because the ego is gone.

Is There Still a Romantic Spark?

This is the question everyone asks. You’ve seen the interviews. Howard Stern grilled Anderson about it. Kelly Ripa probably has thoughts. But Anderson has been pretty blunt: they aren't getting back together.

"It's not gonna happen," he told Ellen DeGeneres a while back.

It’s a platonic partnership built on a decade of history. They bicker about the small stuff—what time is swim class? should he wear the overalls?—but the foundation is solid. Honestly, it’s a bit of a masterclass in emotional intelligence. They moved past the hurt of a breakup to prioritize the stability of their kids.

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Why This Matters for the Rest of Us

We’re so used to "disruptive" breakups. We expect drama. But the dynamic between Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani proves that "family" is a verb, not just a noun. It’s something you do and build, regardless of whether you’re sleeping in the same bedroom.

They’ve created a structure that fits their lives instead of trying to squeeze into a traditional box. For the LGBTQ+ community, this is especially resonant. When the "traditional" path wasn't always open, you had to get creative. They’ve taken that creativity and built a fortress of stability for Wyatt and Sebastian.

How to Navigate a "Modern" Family Dynamic

If you're looking at your own life and wondering if you could ever pull off an "Anderson and Benjamin" level of co-parenting, here are a few takeaways based on their journey:

• Define the "New" Relationship Early: They were clear from day one that they were "family," not "boyfriends." Setting that boundary stops the "will-they-won't-they" confusion.
• Prioritize the Kids' Identity: By hyphenating names and choosing distinct titles (Daddy and Papa), they ensured the kids feel a permanent connection to both parents.
• Lean Into Your Strengths: Benjamin brings the French language and a "softie" parenting style; Anderson brings the legacy and the structured routine. They don't try to be the same parent.
• Keep Your Private Life Private-ish: While they share glimpses on Instagram, they don't sell the drama. Maintaining a level of privacy helps protect the kids from the "celebrity" of it all.

The most important thing to remember is that there’s no one "right" way to be a family. If it’s stable, loving, and the kids are thriving, who cares if it’s "unusual"? Anderson and Benjamin are doing just fine.

Next time you see them together, don't look for a romantic spark. Look at the kids. That’s where the real story is.