Anderson Cooper said goodbye to 60 Minutes after 20 years as one of the show’s correspondents.
“There’s very few things that have been around for as long as 60 Minutes has and [have been able to] maintain the quality that it has,” Cooper, 58, said during his final show in May 2026. “Things can always evolve and change, and I think that’s awesome, and things should evolve and change, but I hope the core of what 60 Minutes is always remains.”
60 Minutes debuted on CBS in 1968. Cooper took on his role as one of the show’s main correspondents in 2006. He confirmed his exit from the show in February 2026.
“Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career,” Cooper told Variety in a statement at the time. “I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors and camera crews in the business.”
He added, “For nearly 20 years, I’ve been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, 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.”
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Cooper’s departure from 60 Minutes:
Why Did Anderson Cooper Leave ‘60 Minutes’?
Cooper’s February 2026 statement explained the reason for his departure. The journalist shared that he wanted to spend more time with sons Wyatt, 6, and Sebastian, 4, whom he coparents with ex Benjamin Maisani.
When Was Anderson Cooper’s Final Episode of ‘60 Minutes’?
The journalist said his final goodbye to the show on May 17, 2026.
“I think the independence of 60 Minutes has been critical. I think the trust it has with viewers is critical to the success of 60 Minutes,” Cooper said as part of his farewell speech. “When you see a 60 Minutes story, and you’re like, ‘That was a really good story,’ it was a good story because it requires time, it requires patience, it requires money.”
He added, “I hope that’s known and honored and valued and continues.”
Was ‘60 Minutes’ Anderson Cooper’s Only Job?
No, he made that clear during his final episode on the show.
“The whole time I’ve done pieces on 60 Minutes, my full-time job has been over at CNN, and still is,” he explained. “It’s been really challenging to do the kind of work you need to do to have a great 60 Minutes piece on.”
Cooper noted that CNN “doesn’t like it” if he took time off for 60 Minutes.
“I’ve worked mostly for 60 Minutes on weekends,” he added. “My vacation time at CNN has been working on 60 Minutes pieces. I’ve loved it, but it’s been tough.”
Cooper will continue to host his daily show Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN.
