Veteran journalist Anderson Cooper signed off from CBS News’ “60 Minutes” after two decades on the iconic program, delivering an emotional farewell that left viewers, and Cooper himself, visibly moved.
The longtime CNN anchor announced during Sunday’s season finale that he is stepping away from his role as a correspondent on the legendary newsmagazine show to spend more time with his young sons.
Cooper, 58, struggled to hold back tears while recording his final sign-off.
After several emotional pauses, he looked into the camera and softly repeated his trademark line: “I’m Anderson Cooper.”
A Farewell After Two Decades
Cooper joined “60 Minutes” in 2006 and became known for his international reporting, high-profile interviews, and emotionally driven storytelling.
During an extended farewell segment released by CBS News, Cooper reflected on some of the most memorable experiences from his years on the program, including dangerous assignments involving Nile crocodiles, giant ocean waves in Portugal, and conflict zones around the world.
But Cooper said the stories that stayed with him most were often the quieter human moments.
“The thing is, it’s never felt like work,” Cooper said. “It felt like you’re stepping into people’s lives, and you’re invited into their struggles.”
The farewell montage featured clips from interviews with celebrities including Prince Harry and Lady Gaga, alongside reports highlighting survivors, humanitarian crises, and ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.
Balancing CNN, CBS and Fatherhood
Cooper admitted balancing his nightly CNN duties with the demanding production schedule at “60 Minutes” became increasingly difficult over the years.
“The whole time I’ve done pieces for ‘60 Minutes,’ my full-time job has been over at CNN,” he explained.
He said many of his “60 Minutes” reports were produced during weekends or while using vacation time from CNN.
“I’ve loved it, but it’s been tough,” Cooper said.
Ultimately, he said fatherhood helped make the decision clearer.
Cooper is the father of two sons, Wyatt, 6, and Sebastian, 4, and said he wants to spend more time with them while they are still young.
“I want to spend as much time with them as I can while they still want to spend time with me,” he said. “That clock is ticking.”
A Lifelong Dream Realized
Cooper revealed that “60 Minutes” held special meaning for him long before he ever joined the broadcast.
Growing up, he watched the show regularly with his family, especially after the death of his father when he was young.
“There was a lot of silence in my house, and we’d watch the news over dinner,” Cooper recalled.
He described being hired by the program in 2006 as surreal.
“I could not believe that I was on ‘60 Minutes,’” he said.
CBS News praised Cooper following his departure announcement earlier this year, calling him an important part of the program’s legacy.
“We’re grateful to Anderson for dedicating so much of his life to this broadcast,” CBS said in a previous statement.
CBS News Continues Facing Internal Upheaval
Cooper’s departure also comes during a turbulent period for CBS News.
The network has undergone several leadership and programming changes in recent months, including the controversial hiring of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief under Paramount Skydance leadership.
Weiss faced criticism after a planned “60 Minutes” segment about El Salvador’s CECOT prison was abruptly pulled before eventually airing weeks later.
CBS has also seen several high-profile departures and anchor reshuffles, including changes at “CBS Evening News.”
Despite the internal turmoil, Cooper emphasized his admiration for “60 Minutes” and expressed hope the program will continue for future generations.
“I hope ‘60 Minutes’ is around when my kids grow up and have kids of their own,” he said.
Featured image from: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons