Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani's Relationship Timeline

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Andrew H. Walker/WireImage

Anderson CooperandBenjamin Maisanimay have broken up, but the pair remain best friends.

Aftermeeting in 2009, the broadcast journalist and businessman confirmed their relationship in 2015 with a series of red carpet appearances. Three years later, after much speculation, Cooper announced that he and Maisani hadsplit upas romantic partners.

When Cooper had sonWyatt Morganin 2020, the pair proved that statement true when they decided to co-parent.

“While we were a couple, he wasn’t sure he wanted kids, which was one of the issues we’d always had,” Cooper told PEOPLE in the first-everPride issue. “But when I decided, ‘I’m just going to do this,’ he started to be interested.” The former couple announced the birth of their second child,Sebastian Luke, in 2022.

“I’ve always believed that if you’ve been with somebody and that ends, in terms of an intimate relationship, if you love somebody, there’s no reason why that love shouldn’t continue,“Cooper saidof Maisani.

From their global travels to their adventures as co-parents, here’s everything you need to know about Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani’s relationship.

July 2, 2012: Anderson Cooper comes out as gay

Cooper publicly came out as gay in July of 2012 in an open letter to his longtime friend, journalist Andrew Sullivan.

“The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud,” Cooper wrote.

April 2014: Benjamin Maisani talks about his relationship with Anderson Cooper

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While the couple hadn’t yet confirmed their relationship publicly, Maisani seemingly addressed the speculation and attention surrounding it during a 2014 appearance on aFrench talk show. “I understand that it interests people, but it doesn’t interest me,” the French businessman said. “Like most people, I never really thought about it, and I never wanted to be a celebrity. I knew I’d have to be careful right from the start before it had a chance to get out of hand.”

May 9, 2015: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani attend the 26th annual GLAAAD Awards

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Cooper and Maisani officially confirmed their relationship when they walked the red carpet together at the 26th annual GLAAD Awards.

Later that night, Cooper presented his good friend and talk show hostKelly Ripawith the GLAAD’sExcellence in Media Award.

November 2, 2015: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani attend Elton John’s Aids Foundation Benefit

Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

The couple enjoyed anight outtogether at the 14th annualElton JohnAIDS Foundation benefit in New York City. They showed some rare PDA and walked the red carpet hand-in-hand.

December 17, 2016: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani celebrate Christmas with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

Cooper and Maisani celebrated Christmas 2016 a few days early with Ripa and her husband,Mark Consuelos.

In February 2022, Cooper joked that their son Wyatt was “in love” with Ripa and Consuelos' daughter, Lola.

December 23, 2016: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani play with puppies in Myanmar

Anderson Cooper Instagram

A few days later, the couple headed Myanmar for a Christmas vacation. In a series of images posted toInstagram, the pair could be seen exploring the country and taking in the views. One sweet photo shows Cooper and Maisani posing while holding a puppy they met at a Buddhist Monastery.

May 27, 2017: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani spend time in Venice

Cooper and Maisani continued their travels with a trip to Venice. Maisani, whostudied art history, enjoyed the city’s many museums. “He is the art expert … I’m the complainer who wants to take naps,” Cooper wrote onInstagram.

July 9, 2017: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani vacation in Tahiti

Diane Von Furstenburg Instagram

For their next vacation, Cooper and Maisani traveled to Tahiti with some A-list friends, includingBradley Cooper,Irina Shayk,Allison Williams,Diane von FurstenbergandAndy Cohen.

“Part of the [sic] funnest group ever!” von Furstenbergwrote on Instagramalongside a group photo.

October 27, 2017: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani talk collecting art

Al Pereira/Getty

Speaking withTown & Countrymagazine, the couple opened up about building their art collection with the help of the European Fine Art Fair.

Cooper admitted that before meeting Maisani, he wasn’t exactly an art buff but that the couple did have a strategy for collecting art: “It’s about building up a collection that represents who we are.”

Maisani added that they were able to adapt to each other’s personal preferences and style. “Anderson definitely has more of a modern, contemporary sensibility, but after a few years of living with my Old Masters, he grew to love them,” he explained.

March 15, 2018: Anderson Cooper announces split from Benjamin Maisani

After months of speculation, Cooper announced in March 2018 that he and Maisani had split but that the former couple would remain close friends.

“Benjamin and I separated as boyfriends some time ago,” he told PEOPLE in anexclusive statement. “We are still family to each other, and love each other very much.”

April 27, 2020: Anderson Cooper welcomes son Wyatt Morgan

“I hope I can be as good a dad as he was,” Cooper said on Instagram. “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.”

May 5, 2020: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani announce they will co-parent son Wyatt

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Shortly after Wyatt’s birth, Cooper announced that he and Maisani would beco-parentinghim. “He’s my family and I want him to be Wyatt’s family, as well,” Cooper said at the time.

In February 2022, Cooper announced that Maisani officiallyadoptedWyatt and that his new name would be Wyatt Morgan Maisani-Cooper.

“We’re a family,” the CNN anchor said, adding, “Wyatt calls me ‘Daddy’ and Benjamin ‘Papa.’ "

June 9, 2020: Anderson Cooper discusses fatherhood with PEOPLE

In PEOPLE’s first-ever Pride issue, Cooper opened up about howbecoming a fatherhad changed his perspective on life.

“It feels like my life has actually begun, and I sort of wonder, ‘what was I waiting for?’ " he said. “I feel invested in the future in a way I hadn’t really before.”

February 10, 2021: Anderson Cooper says he won’t get back together with Benjamin Maisani

During a virtual appearance onThe Ellen Show, Cooper talked about co-parenting with Maisani and revealed that the former couple still lived together.

When hostEllen DeGenerespressed Cooper about rekindling his romance with Maisani, Cooper laughed it off, saying, “No, that’s not going to happen.”

June 17, 2021: Anderson Cooper jokes about being “pissed” at Benjamin Maisani

During an appearance onThe Stephen Colbert Show, Cooper revealed thathe missed Wyatt’s first stepswhile away on a business trip and learned about it via text from Maisani.

“He should have lied and said, ‘Oh no, he’s not walking at all,’ so when I got home and he walked, we’d be like, ‘Oh my god! It’s the first walk,’ " Cooper said.

September 17, 2021: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani open up about co-parenting

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Cooper and Maisanigot candid about co-parenting. “It’s awesome. It’s probably an unusual setup, but I knew he would be a great dad, and he is,” Cooper said.

“Anderson has changed a lot since Wyatt arrived,” added Maisani. “He’s happy and relaxed in a way he’s never been before.”

On Feb. 10, 2022, Cooper and Maisani welcomed their second child, Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper. Cooperrevealed the happy newson his show,Anderson Cooper 360, and also shared the news about Maisani officially adopting Wyatt.

April 27, 2022: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani celebrate Wyatt’s second birthday

Coopershareda rare photo of his whole family on Instagram to celebrate son Wyatt’s second birthday. “He is sweet and funny, kind and caring. Your Papa and brother and I love you sooooo much!” Cooper wrote in the caption.

June 19, 2022: Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani spend Father’s Day in N.Y.C.

As Coopercelebrated Father’s Dayin N.Y.C., he reflected on losing his dad at age 10. Alongside a photo of Wyatt sitting on his shoulders, Cooper shared that while the holiday has always been hard for him, he’s found new meaning in the day after becoming a father himself.

“But today I celebrated Father’s Day, remembering my dad, Wyatt, with little Wyatt and Sebastian and their Papa, Benjamin,” he wrote. “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

September 26, 2023: Anderson Cooper explains why he and Benjamin Maisani still live together

Victoria Stevens

During an interview withHoward Stern, Cooper confirmed that he and Maisani still live under the same roof.

“He’s mypartner in parenthood,” he said to Stern’s astonishment. “We’re best friends. We’re family. We love these kids.”

When asked how his unconventional living situation impacts his dating life, Cooper shrugged and said, “I’m not dating. I’m happy. I’ve got a great love affair with my kids right now. It’s the best thing ever.”

source: people.com