After close to 20 years reporting for 60 Minutes, Anderson Cooper is stepping away from the storied Sunday news program. The veteran journalist confirmed he will exit when his current contract concludes, marking the end of a long tenure at the CBS newsmagazine.
“Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career,” Cooper said in a statement shared Feb. 16. He reflected on the opportunity to tell impactful stories alongside seasoned producers and camera crews.
The anchor added that his decision comes down to family. “For nearly twenty years, I’ve been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS,” he said. “But I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they still want to spend time with me.”
Balancing Two News Giants
Cooper joined CNN in December 2001 and remains the face of Anderson Cooper 360°. His dual role at CNN and CBS placed him among a small group of journalists trusted by rival networks.
At 60 Minutes, now in its 58th season, he delivered in-depth segments that ranged from global conflicts to cultural investigations. His work earned multiple Emmy Awards and nominations, adding to a résumé already packed with war-zone reporting and election coverage.
Cooper’s most recent appearance aired Feb. 15 during the program’s “Last Minute” segment, a coda that often leaves viewers with a memorable final beat.
CBS News in Transition
His departure arrives as CBS News navigates internal changes. Parent company CBS News has seen leadership shifts since David Ellison tapped Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, as editor-in-chief in October. The appointment sparked debate, with critics questioning her broadcast background.
The network also faced scrutiny in December after pulling a 60 Minutes segment about a high-security prison in El Salvador that houses migrants deported from the United States. The decision, made hours before airtime, prompted allegations of political pressure.
A revised version of the report, titled “Inside CECOT,” aired weeks later with additional reporting and comments from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
A Personal Pivot
For Cooper, however, the shift is less about newsroom politics and more about bedtime stories. Since welcoming his two sons, he has spoken openly about parenthood reshaping his priorities. Leaving 60 Minutes narrows his focus but does not end his presence in broadcast journalism.
He continues to anchor nightly coverage on CNN, where he has reported on everything from hurricanes to presidential elections. His steady delivery and calm tone have long been hallmarks of his style.
As 60 Minutes moves forward without one of its recognizable correspondents, Cooper’s exit underscores a rare choice in television news: stepping back at the height of relevance to reclaim time at home.
