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Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani attend the 2015 amfAR Inspiration Gala  after party at Boom Boom Room on June 16, 2015 in New York City© Getty

Anderson Cooper poses with ex Benjamin and sons as he shares surprising insight into personal life

The CNN anchor is raising sons Wyatt and Sebastian with his former partner

Beatriz Colon
Beatriz Colon - New York
New York WriterNew York
September 13, 2023
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Anderson Cooper has found a co-parenting dynamic with his ex Benjamin Maisani that works, and it is making for the "best time" of his life.

The veteran CNN anchor, 56, became a father three years ago when he welcomed son Wyatt Morgan through surrogacy with Benjamin, from whom he'd split two years prior. The former couple now also co-parent another son, Sebastian Luke, who is 19 months.

Despite no longer being in a relationship, the two have a steady and stable co-parenting dynamic, and in a new interview, the renowned journalist gave a glimpse into what that looks like.

WATCH: Anderson Cooper opens up about son Wyatt

For a new story with People, Anderson posed alongside Benjamin and their two sons, and declared: "This is the best time in my life… There is no doubt about it," adding that parenting has brought him "moments of such bliss, humor and gentleness and sheer delight that it stuns me."

The father-of-two lives in New York City with Benjamin and their boys, but he said he especially loves their routine when they escape to their country house in Connecticut.

"We have the diner we go to every morning," he said, adding: "[The boys] like the folks who run the diner very much. And they love to swim."

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He continued: "I love getting them ready for their afternoon nap and sitting with them and reading and then having them fall asleep in my arms. There's nothing better."

MORE: Anderson Cooper's family ordeal with stalker receives crucial update – details

MORE: Anderson Cooper fawns over two sons, details parenting challenges and adorable 'emergency'

Back at their New York City home base, Anderson described co-parenting with Benjamin as "very natural."

Benjamin Maisani and Anderson Cooper attend Elton John AIDS Foundation's 14th Annual Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street on November 2, 2015 in New York City© Getty
Anderson and Benjamin were together for several years before they split in 2018

He explained: "I work nights, and so he's there at night. And we both wake up right before they wake up, get them their milk and spend the first couple of hours of the day just us with them."

Plus, he revealed: "Benjamin speaks French to them," joking: "I have no idea what they're saying. I think they're plotting against me." 

The co-parenting couple with their sons lying in a garden© Instagram
The former couple with their sons in 2022

Further detailing their life at home, and the boys' brotherly dynamic, he said: "Just to see their relationship, it's incredible," and shared: I recently found wooden blocks that my brother and I played with. We drew robots on them and stuff. And so now to see Wyatt playing with those and building things, it's crazy."

MORE: Anderson Cooper's children: Cutest photos and more

Wyatt and Sebastian sat in a living room© Anderson Cooper on Instagram
Wyatt is three, and Sebastian is 19 months

The award-winning reporter's own family history has its share of tragedy. Anderson's older brother Carter died by suicide aged 23 in 1988, when he was 20. Ten years before, his father Wyatt Cooper died from a heart attack. Anderson's mom, famed heiress and designer Gloria Vanderbilt, died at age 95 in 2019.

Despite the loss and tragedy he has faced – season two of his podcast about grief, All There Is With Anderson Cooper, premieres this fall – he said: "It's lovely to see this cycle of life and of love and how all these things sort of repeat."

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