Nearing sixty, Anderson Cooper had already ended his relationship with Benjamin Maisani, his longtime partner, when he became a father. The two ex-couples did, however, reunite, but not in a romantic setting.
It took years before Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani’s relationship was made public because they were so secretive about it. The couple’s dating history dates back to 2009.
The pair was revealed to be residing together at Anderson’s firehouse home by Daily Mail in March 2018. He later made renovations to the $4 million Manhattan, Greenwich Village home he purchased.
It wasn’t until May 2015 that Anderson and Benjamin disclosed their relationship. The CNN news presenter posted a picture of him and Benjamin on Instagram at the time, writing:
“I suppose you start to pose the same when you’re with someone for a long time.”
Following that, Anderson began to share more details about his connection. So much so that he and his boyfriend co-starred in an Architectural Digest edition in August of 2016.
The couple was displaying their remote co-owned house in a region of Brazil at the time. Benjamin discussed the attention his relationship with Anderson was receiving in 2014 when he spoke with French Morning.
In March 2018, after a decade of dating, Anderson’s spokesperson confirmed that the journalist and Benjamin had separated. According to reports, the CNN anchor explained the split by saying:
“Benjamin and I separated as boyfriends some time ago. We are still family to each other, and love each other very much.”
Anderson explained that he and his ex-boyfriend remained best friends and would continue sharing their lives. During an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the television personality revealed one of the reasons that caused them to break up.
He shared how Benjamin wasn’t sure he wanted to have children. However, Anderson didn’t wait to have another partner before working on his dream of becoming a father and fulfilling it at age 53.
In 2020, when reaching the end of his segment on CNN, Anderson revealed that his first child and son, Wyatt Morgan, had been born. He also opened up about why the milestone was especially significant for him, stating:
“As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child.”
The star shared his gratitude for the people who paved the way for him to realize his dream. He also shared his appreciation of the nurses and doctors who took part in helping welcome his son.
Following ten years of dating, Anderson’s representative said that the journalist and Benjamin had split up in March 2018. The CNN host reportedly stated the following to explain the split:
“A while back, Benjamin and I called it quits on our relationship. We still love and care for one another as if we were family.
Anderson clarified that he would continue to share their lives and that he and his ex-boyfriend were close friends. One of the reasons behind their breakup was disclosed by the television personality in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres.
He revealed that Benjamin wasn’t certain he wanted to start a family. But Anderson didn’t wait to find a new partner to work toward and realize his 53-year-old dream of becoming a father.
At the conclusion of his CNN segment in 2020, Anderson disclosed the birth of Wyatt Morgan, his first kid. He also revealed the reason the achievement held particular significance for him, saying:
“As a gay child, I never imagined that having a child would be possible.”
The celebrity expressed his appreciation to everyone who helped him achieve his dream. He also expressed his gratitude to the medical professionals that assisted in the birth of his son.
In addition, the TV celebrity shared four photos of his infant son on Instagram. The first picture shows him tenderly nursing Wyatt. He disclosed that the boy was just three days old in the caption of the photo.
He gave an explanation of how the child’s first name matched that of his own father, who died when he was only 10 years old. The second name belonged to his mother’s side of the family, Gloria Vanderbilt, and was also favored by his parents.
Anderson claimed at the time that he had discovered a list his parents had created 52 years prior while choosing his name. At birth, Wyatt reportedly weighed 7.2 pounds and was hailed as “sweet, soft, and healthy.”
The journalist also expressed gratitude to the surrogate mother for bearing him, providing him with a loving and sensitive watch, and giving birth to the boy. He also expressed gratitude to the surrogate’s family for their help both before and after the procedure.
In closing, Anderson expressed his hope that his brother Carter, mother, and father could have seen his son grow up. But he made the decision to think they could see his child, and he saw them cuddling up to each other while grinning and laughing.
He was content that their family line will live on and that their love was still present in both Wyatt and him. Anderson learned in August 2020 that Wyatt was sleeping on an unusual schedule for a youngster who was just about four months old at the time.
The newborn was getting twelve hours of sleep every night! The CNN anchor clarified that he was receiving help from a nurse and made a joke about not knowing what she did—but she didn’t use booze or Ambien—to put the youngster to sleep so much!
Anderson had one requirement, despite having help from someone else in caring for the child. The celebrity declared that he opposed having a single parent raise his child.
In May 2020, Anderson gave an explanation for his decision to not raise his child by himself on “The Howard Stern Show.” The celebrity talked about how his mother raised him and his brother as a single parent after losing his father and how she wasn’t very paternal.
He wished there had been another adult in his life to cover that absence. Someone who occasionally offered to take him out to lunch or a ball game, or who suggested having a conversation with him; the journalist added:
“Therefore, I reasoned that I would be in favor of more people loving my son and being in his life, even if nothing bad happened to me.”
He mentioned how, if it were possible, he would want to have two parents. Ironically, because of their good relationship, he and Benjamin continued to live together in their house after their breakup.
Anderson said that things were “weird” between him and the nightclub owner. Despite his early reluctance, Benjamin eventually changed his mind and is today a wonderful co-parent to young Wyatt.
The former couple resided in the Greenwich Village firehouse that Anderson purchased and remodeled in 2009. According to the celebrity, Wyatt would likely refer to Benjamin as “Papa” whereas he would be called “Dad” or “Daddy” because he was French.
Anderson quipped that the businessman was speaking to the young child in his own tongue and that he might be manipulating Wyatt by not understanding what he was saying! But the journalist denied that the ex-couple might reconcile when asked if it would be possible.
In August 2020, Anderson talked to WSJ magazine about how becoming a father had made him realize how much life had changed. Despite being 53 at the time, he talked about how he felt like he was waiting for his real life to start.
The actor claimed that he had been concentrating on moving forward or telling a tale, but that concentrating on Wyatt brought order to the situation. The anchor for the news said, “It’s changed everything.”
Due to his night shift employment, Anderson used to wake up late as well, but after Wyatt’s arrival, he now wakes up at seven in the morning. Since his son’s awakening marked the highest point of his day, it was his objective to rise before him.
Benjamin [Maisani] and the infant [Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper], who weighed 6.8 lbs. at birth, would also share co-parenting duties.
When the young boy saw him, he delighted to see him stretch and smile. From the third floor, Anderson went to his son’s room on the fourth, where he waited for him to make noises to let the star know he was awake before entering to see how he was doing.
The TV celebrity stated to People magazine in June 2020 that he would be willing to grow his family in the future. But first, he needed time to get a better night’s sleep and clear his thoughts!
It would be wonderful, he thought, to have a brother or sister for Wyatt. Then, on “Anderson Cooper 360°,” in February 2022, Anderson revealed that he had welcomed Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, his second son, via surrogacy!
Benjamin and the infant, who weighed 6.8 pounds at birth, would also share co-parenting duties. The celebrity also disclosed at that time that Wyatt’s last name would be changed to Maisani-Cooper and that his former partner was in the process of adopting the child.
But in December 2020, following Wyatt’s birth, Anderson acknowledged that he was “tired more than I’ve ever been.” He did, however, adore being a father and “wouldn’t change it for the world,” and he frequently broke down in tears when he saw his kid.
ROBIN WILLIAMS’ SAN FRANCISCO MANSION: WHERE HIS SON TIED THE KNOT ON THE LATE ACTOR’S BIRTHDAY
Robin Williams passed away in 2014, leaving behind his children: Zelda, Zachary, and Cody. Robin and his ex-wife, Marsha Williams, raised their kids in their San Francisco home.
In 2019, on what would have been Robin’s 73rd birthday, his youngest son honored him by getting married on that special day.
Robin Williams was a beloved actor known for his incredible comedic talent. He starred in popular family films like “Aladdin,” “Jumanji,” “Happy Feet,” and “Night at the Museum.”
Robin died by suicide on August 11, 2014, at his home in Tiburon, California. He was born on July 21, 1951. At the time of his death, he was single and had been married three times. His children were Zelda (34), Zachary (41), and Cody (32).
Robin Williams married his first wife, Valerie Velardi, in 1978. They had a son, Zachary Williams, together. The couple divorced in 1988.
Robin then married Marsha Garces in April 1989. They had two children together: Zelda and Cody Williams.
In 2008, Marsha Garces filed for divorce from Robin Williams. She said they had irreconcilable differences. Marsha requested joint legal custody of their kids, with Robin having visitation rights and paying spousal support. She also asked the court to divide their property after figuring out all their assets.
During their marriage, Marsha and Robin Williams worked together on films like “Jakob the Liar,” “Patch Adams,” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.” After their divorce, Robin married Susan Schneider in 2011, but they divorced in 2014 and did not have any children together.
Robin and Marsha raised their kids, Zelda and Cody, in their San Francisco home, which was at the corner of Sea Cliff Avenue and El Camino Del Mar.
The beautiful San Francisco mansion, which Robin Williams and Marsha Garces renovated in the 1990s, is a large 10,600-square-foot property. Built in 1926, it has more than 20 rooms, including six bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and three half bathrooms.
The home offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Marin Headland, and the Pacific Ocean. It was listed for sale at $25 million in October 2023.
Steven Mavromihalis, who is handling the sale, mentioned that Robin and Marsha expanded the house while keeping the original, valuable materials from when it was built in 1926. They also added a movie theater and a grand foyer, which is a central and impressive part of the home leading to its elegant public spaces.
The outside of the property features stunning lawns, bushes, gardens, flowering plants, mature trees, and hedges that surround the entire estate. It includes several sitting areas with clear, open views, making it an ideal space for entertaining guests.
The home includes a four-car garage with both side-by-side and tandem parking options. Inside, the living room is spacious with wooden beams on the ceiling, a wood-burning fireplace, and a French door that opens to the terrace.
The house features a spectacular eat-in kitchen with plenty of counter space, triple sinks, and custom cabinets made from high-quality materials. Next to the kitchen is a butler’s pantry. There’s also a media entertainment room with a half bath that opens to the east lawn and an outdoor dining patio.
The primary suite is designed for peace and tranquility, offering views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. It includes a spacious bath with a soaking tub and a separate walk-in shower. The suite also features a large dressing room and closet. On the upper level, you’ll find four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a home office.
The home includes several hidden safe rooms and a large, ventilated walk-in vault. On the garden level, you’ll find a sauna, a one-bedroom guest apartment, and a fitness center with a full bath. This level also features a wine cellar, a pantry, and plenty of storage closets.
Marsha shared her experience of living in the mansion with Robin. She mentioned that Robin enjoyed shopping for art, and since their home was so large, they bought modern and unique pieces to decorate it. Marsha mixed new, old, historic, and handmade items to create a beautiful and eclectic look for the house.
Robin had a love for toys, so their home was filled with various toy collections. Additionally, some items in the house were particularly special because Marsha and Robin would give each other art pieces as gifts on special occasions like birthdays.
In 2019, Robin Williams’ youngest son paid tribute to his father by getting married at the same San Francisco mansion where Robin and Marsha had raised him.
Robin Williams was very proud of his kids, but he didn’t think of himself as a perfect father. He saw himself as a dad who was always learning and loving his children.
Zachary, his oldest son, graduated from New York University with a degree in rhetoric and followed his dreams to become an actor and director. Zelda, his daughter, made a name for herself in horror movies. Robin described his youngest son, Cody, as “kind but brilliant” and also as an actor.
Robin’s children continue to make him proud, even though he is no longer here. They have each made their own way in the entertainment world as actors and directors. They also make an effort to honor and remember their dad on their special occasions.
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