Step Inside Anderson Cooper’s Unique Firehouse Home: A Glimpse of His Family Life
The journalist shares custody of two children with his ex-partner, Benjamin Maisani, who co-parents alongside Anderson Cooper. Cooper transformed an old fire station into a family home, where he lives with his children.
On February 10, 2022, Anderson Cooper shared the joyous news of the birth of his second child during his Anderson Cooper 360 program. The baby boy was welcomed into the world with Benjamin Maisani, Anderson’s former partner and lifelong close friend.
Additionally, two years ago, the couple brought their first baby into the world. After working in a bar, Benjamin, a businessman, opened his own “Eastern Bloc” bar and developed connections with famous people there.
Anderson’s friend Andy Cohen was a regular patron of the bar, though it’s unknown if Anderson used to go there. After years of dating, Benjamin and Anderson had their second child in 2022. Anderson introduced his new son in his announcement, saying:
Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper is this person. At birth, he weighed 6.8 pounds. He is healthy and content, and I find his sporadic hiccups endearing. He eats, sleeps, and poops much of the time, but he already comes off as a smart and considerate little champion.
Additionally, the co-parent took the opportunity to express gratitude to the doctors and nurses who assisted in the birth of the young child. Anderson also expressed his appreciation to the surrogate mother of his second child.
He expressed his gratitude to the woman and her family for their love and sacrifices shown to Sebastian during the previous 12 months. The TV star had already made an on-air announcement about the birth of his children.
After welcoming his first son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, Anderson excitedly announced his new role as a father on CNN. In a February 25, 2022 appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan, Anderson gave an update on how Wyatt was adjusting to his younger brother, Sebastian, sharing that the two seemed to get along well. Wyatt had even given Sebastian the nickname “Luke” since he couldn’t pronounce his full name yet, and he would greet him every morning with a cheerful “Good morning, Luke.”
Anderson also took three weeks of paternity leave following Sebastian’s birth to bond with his new son. Before stepping away from work, he shared with Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa how much he was enjoying his time with both of his boys, expressing how fulfilling it was to be home with them.
“It’s great to be able to come home and decompress.”
Additionally, the father of two shared his nightly ritual with Wyatt, stating, “And every night to be able to feed Wyatt and give him his milk, he falls asleep on my chest, and there’s nothing better.”
Anderson has a morning routine with the boys as well. Wyatt and Sebastian enjoy swimming, and they visit the diner every morning. The proud father likes to sit and read to his sons until they nod off in his arms as a way to get them ready for their afternoon snooze.
Wyatt and Sebastian have developed a strong bond, often playing together with some of their father’s childhood toys that Anderson once enjoyed with his own brother. Anderson described witnessing the connection between his sons as “incredible,” noting how heartwarming it is to see them share such special moments together.
After Wyatt was born, Anderson and Benjamin, who owned a nightclub and properties, began co-parenting. Even though he and his ex were no longer dating, the news anchor clarified that he would still co-parent, saying, “We’re a family.”
In an interview, he disclosed that they have an easy co-parenting relationship. Benjamin takes care of the children when he leaves for work at night. After getting up just ahead of the boys, they spend the first few hours of the day with them after getting them their milk. Anderson claims that Benjamin converses with their sons in French.
“We’re co-parents,” Anderson explained, adding that he and Benjamin would raise little Sebastian. We are a family. Their first kid, whom Benjamin was legally adopting, is referred to as “papa.”
The older boy referred to the TV celebrity as “daddy.” Wyatt’s last name will be modified to include both parents, Maisani-Cooper, similar to Sebastian’s, after the adoption is complete.
The 56-year-old renowned journalist gushed about being a father in an interview conducted in September 2023, stating, “This is the best time in my life.” There’s no question of it.
Anderson and Benjamin Maisani’s relationship and co-parenting
In 2009, Anderson and Benjamin began dating, made their relationship public in 2015, and announced their breakup in 2018. The couple may no longer be together, but their friendship was so strong that the celebrity declared:
“Even though we are no longer together, Maisani will continue to co-parent Wyatt. I want him to be Wyatt’s family because he is my family.
Anderson opened up on his peculiar co-parenting arrangement with his ex in September 2021. He acknowledged that it was effective for both Wyatt and them, saying:
“I thought he would make a fantastic father, and he does, even though it’s definitely an odd arrangement. Despite the fact that we are ex-partners, we adore one another as co-parents and family.
The author, who frequently provides updates on his older son, once expressed his annoyance at missing Wyatt’s first steps. Though he doesn’t post much, Benjamin once claimed that his ex changed when Wyatt was born, and Anderson described their co-parenting arrangement by saying:
“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.”
Anderson admitted to presenter Ellen DeGeneres in an interview with “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in February 2021 that he and Benjamin had previously had alternative plans for starting a family. The celebrity went on to say:
It’s intriguing because he wasn’t entirely certain he wanted a child, which is likely one of the reasons we ended our relationship, but he eventually changed his mind. He is a fantastic parent now.
Anderson and his children live inside his firehouse.
Anderson offered People a tour of the house he transformed from a fire station on June 9, 2020. His first son’s nursery was displayed to the audience, with blue serving as the main color scheme.
Some pictures hadn’t been hung up, and the nursery was still under construction. On one side of the room was a portrait of Anderson’s late mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, depicting herself and Wyatt’s late father, for whom the star was named.
Anderson’s childhood handprint was displayed in another picture. The room had a paper mache cupid over the baby’s white cot, a beetle-patterned blue wallpaper, and numerous plush animals that had once belonged to the devoted father in one corner.
Anderson expressed his desire for every item in his son’s room to carry sentimental value. The space was carefully curated with a changing table and a childhood photo of Benjamin and his sister. In September 2010, Anderson purchased a historic 8,240-square-foot firehouse in Greenwich Village, New York, for $4.3 million. The property retained its unique firehouse charm, featuring original spiral staircases, brass fire poles, dry hoses, and murals that preserved its rich history.
David Beckham and Kevin Hart filmed an H&M commercial in Anderson’s house in 2015.
While spending three days with The Hollywood Reporter in September 2018, the “60 Minutes” correspondent subtly gave them a tour of his home. The celebrity and Benjamin had split up earlier that year, and he lived with his Welsh springer spaniel, Lilly.
Anderson installed an elevator and restored it over the course of several years. In addition, there is a salon on the second floor featuring Old Master paintings and taxidermy, as well as hand-painted signs he gathered while traveling to Cuba and Africa.
In the living room of Anderson’s West Village home, a Victorian calendar, discovered in his mother’s bedroom, hangs on a side table. The calendar is marked with the date July 22, 1988, a day etched in Anderson’s memory as the day his brother, Carter Cooper, tragically took his own life at the age of 23 in their mother’s apartment. This poignant piece of history serves as a quiet reminder of the painful loss Anderson experienced.
After her son passed away, Gloria moved multiple times and brought the calendar with her. After he sold her apartment after her death, Anderson once said he did not want to part with things.
The house is filled with personal treasures that hold deep significance for Anderson, including a commissioning notice from the Civil War that once belonged to his great-great-grandfather. One of the most poignant items is a photograph of a younger Anderson taken in Afghanistan by his late friend, Tim Hetherington. These mementos reflect the rich history and meaningful connections that shape Anderson’s life.
Memento Mori, an Italian marble from the 18th century, was another striking piece in his house. Architect Cary Tamarkin updated the firehouse’s 1906 design with the inside of the Beaux-Arts structure from the 20th century.
In 2015, David Beckham and Kevin Hart shot an H&M commercial at Anderson’s home, giving fans a glimpse into his impressive living space. The advertisement showcased various areas of the house, including his stylish living room, state-of-the-art gym, rooftop terrace, and one of his cozy bedrooms.
At 95, Anderson’s mother passed away in 2019. He had also lost his brother ten years before to her passing, ten years after their father passed away in 1978 due to a heart attack. He eventually made the decision to confront the grief process after avoiding it for many years.
In a conversation with actress Molly Shannon for his podcast, “All There Is With Anderson Cooper,” he talked candidly about her loss. Anderson remarked, “It has certainly made me feel less alone,” for his podcast.
