Who is Anderson Cooper’s Partner? What the CNN Star Says About His Private Life Now

Who is Anderson Cooper’s Partner? What the CNN Star Says About His Private Life Now

If you’ve watched Anderson Cooper navigate a war zone or giggle uncontrollably through a New Year’s Eve broadcast with Andy Cohen, you’ve probably wondered what his home life actually looks like. It’s a natural curiosity. For a guy who spends his life under the glare of studio lights, he’s remarkably protective of his personal bubble.

Honestly, the answer to who is Anderson Cooper’s partner isn't as straightforward as a "yes" or "no" at a wedding altar. As of early 2026, Anderson Cooper is officially single. But "single" doesn't mean he's alone. He lives in a setup that most would call unconventional, yet he describes it as the most blissfully happy period of his entire life.

The Man in the Picture: Benjamin Maisani

You can’t talk about Anderson’s personal life without talking about Benjamin Maisani. They were a "thing" for a long time—nearly a decade, in fact. They went public back in 2015, but by 2018, they had called it quits on the romantic front.

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But here is where it gets interesting.

Most people break up and delete the photos. They didn't. Instead, they leaned into a deep, platonic friendship that eventually turned into a co-parenting powerhouse. When Anderson welcomed his first son, Wyatt Morgan, in 2020 via surrogate, Benjamin was right there. By the time Sebastian Luke arrived in 2022, Benjamin hadn't just stuck around; he had actually legally adopted both boys.

Living Under One Roof

They aren't "dating," but they are a family. They live together in their New York City home and spend weekends at their place in Connecticut. It’s a tag-team effort. Anderson often jokes that because Benjamin speaks French to the kids, he sometimes feels like they’re all plotting against him in a language he doesn't quite master.

It’s a vibe.

Why He Isn’t Dating Right Now

In recent interviews, specifically one with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM just before the 2026 New Year kicked off, Anderson was pretty blunt about his dating prospects. Or lack thereof.

"I'm not looking," he told Andy. "I'm just trying to get through the day."

Think about his schedule. He’s anchoring Anderson Cooper 360 every night. He’s a correspondent for 60 Minutes. He’s raising a five-year-old and a three-year-old. When he gets home, he’s wiped. The idea of "taking time away" from his sons to sit across from a stranger at a bar seems, in his words, "impossible."

He’s reached a stage where the "bliss" of fatherhood has replaced the drive for a romantic partner. He’s mentioned feeling moments of such "gentleness and sheer delight" with his kids that the traditional hunt for a partner just doesn't carry the weight it used to.

Misconceptions About the Andy Cohen Connection

We have to address the elephant in the room. Every year, social media lights up with people asking if Anderson and Andy Cohen are finally a couple. Their chemistry is undeniable. They’ve been friends for over twenty-five years. They travel together. They raise their kids (who are also best friends) together.

But they’ve both been very clear: they are just friends.

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During the 2026 New Year’s Eve special, the banter reached a fever pitch, especially with jokes referencing the gay hockey romance Heated Rivalry. Despite the playful flirting and the "work husband" energy, there’s no romantic spark there. They tried a blind date decades ago and it was a total bust. They’re better as the duo that makes us laugh while the ball drops.

The Reality of Modern Co-Parenting

What Anderson and Benjamin have built is actually a fascinating blueprint for modern families. It challenges the idea that a "partner" has to be a romantic one.

  • Legal Bonds: Benjamin is a legal father to the boys.
  • Daily Routine: They share meals, morning wake-ups, and the "milk runs."
  • Emotional Support: Anderson still calls Benjamin his "family."

It’s a high-functioning partnership without the labels of a traditional marriage.

What’s Next for Anderson’s Love Life?

Does this mean he’ll be single forever? Probably not. He’s told People magazine in the past that he’d "certainly" like to find a partner one day. He just isn't in a rush.

For now, his "partner" is his co-parent. His life is defined by Lego sets, French lessons, and the nightly news. It’s a full house.

If you're looking to follow more of his journey, keep an eye on his Instagram stories—the ones where he isn't reporting from a global crisis usually feature the chaotic, silver-haired reality of being a dad to two toddlers.

Takeaway for the curious: Don't expect a wedding announcement anytime soon. Instead, expect more of the same "unconventional" but clearly effective family dynamic that seems to keep one of the busiest men in news remarkably grounded.

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If you want to stay updated on how he balances the anchor desk with fatherhood, the best move is to watch his long-form interviews on 60 Minutes or his podcast All There Is, where he often gets much more vulnerable about his personal life than he does on the nightly news.