Anderson Cooper announces birth of baby boy via surrogate: 'I am beyond happy'

Surprise! Anderson Cooper is a dad. The CNN news anchor announced the exciting news live on-air Thursday at the end of the network’s global town hall on the pandemic, introducing the world to his newborn son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper. Sharing photos of his little bundle of joy, the 52-year-old revealed that his son was born on Monday weighing 7 pounds 2 ounces via a surrogate. The doting new father was visibly emotional while speaking of his "sweet, and soft, and healthy" baby boy and spoke of how he never thought fatherhood would be a possibility for him while he was growing up.

"It has been a difficult time in all of our lives, and there are certainly many hard days ahead," Cooper said. "It is, I think, especially important in these times of trouble to try to hold on to moments of joy and moments of happiness. Even as we mourn the loss of loved ones, we are also blessed with new life and new love." He then went on to introduce his son to viewers, saying: "On Monday, I became a father. I've never actually said that before, out loud, and it still kind of astonishes me. I am a dad. I have a son. And I want you to meet him."

"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," Cooper gushed.

The renowned journalist also shared a series of adorable photographs with little Wyatt on Instagram and the fatherhood glow on Cooper's face is unmissable. "He was 7.2 lbs at birth, and he is sweet, and soft, and healthy and I am beyond happy," he wrote. "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. 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," Cooper continued. "My family is blessed to have this family in our lives. I do wish my mom and dad and my brother, Carter, were alive to meet Wyatt, but I like to believe they can see him. I imagine them all together, arms around each other, smiling and laughing, happy to know that their love is alive in me and in Wyatt, and that our family continues."