Anderson Cooper is stepping down as a correspondent for 60 Minutes after two decades with the program, CNN reported Tuesday. Cooper cited a desire to concentrate on his role at CNN and to dedicate more time to his children in a statement released by the network.
Cooper joined 60 Minutes in 2006, balancing his work there with his anchoring duties for CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°. He began his career in journalism traveling the world and filming footage of conflict zones for Channel One News in 1990, following his graduation from Yale University in 1989. He later held positions at ABC News from 1995 to 2000, serving as a correspondent and taking on various roles including co-anchor and reality show host.
His prominence grew significantly following his coverage of Hurricane Katrina, and he received the National Order of Honour and Merit from the Haitian government for his reporting on the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Cooper also hosted the daytime talk show Anderson Live from 2011 to 2013.
Throughout his career, Cooper has received numerous accolades, including 18 Emmy Awards and two Peabody Awards, as well as an Edward Murrow Award in 2011. He continues to anchor Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN, and his departure from 60 Minutes will allow him to focus exclusively on that program and his family.
CBS News has not yet announced a replacement for Cooper on 60 Minutes.
