Why Is Anderson Cooper Leaving CBS' 60 Minutes? Age, Net Worth and Real Reason for Exiting the Show After 20 Years Explained

Anderson Cooper's long run at 60 Minutes is coming to a close, with the veteran journalist confirming he will not renew his contract with CBS after nearly two decades as a correspondent. The decision ends a rare dual-network tenure that saw him balance high-profile roles at both CBS and CNN for years.

While not signalling any retreat from television journalism, the move reflects a narrowing of commitments shaped largely by personal priorities. Cooper, 57, said the shift comes down to family, explaining that with two young sons he wants to spend more time at home while they are still growing up.

He shares sons Wyatt and Sebastian with ex-partner Benjamin Maisani and has spoken previously about their co-parenting routine and the demands of working nights in news. Those pressures, he suggested, have become harder to balance alongside the long-form reporting schedule required for 60 Minutes.

A Two-Decade Run Across Two Networks

Rather than marking a sudden departure from the programme, Cooper's exit follows nearly 20 years of intermittent but high-impact contributions since joining 60 Minutes in 2007 while continuing to anchor CNN's Anderson Cooper 360°.

That dual role was unusual even by US broadcast standards. Cooper regularly moved between nightly cable news coverage and long-form investigative reporting for CBS, interviewing major political figures and covering global crises during his tenure.

CBS News acknowledged his work in a statement, noting that he had taken viewers 'on journeys to faraway places' and delivered consequential investigations over the years, while expressing understanding for his wish to prioritise family time.

Instead of representing a break from broadcasting altogether, the departure leaves Cooper firmly positioned at CNN, where he renewed his contract in late 2025 and continues to anchor Anderson Cooper 360° as well as host major live events such as the network's New Year's Eve special.

Age, Career Longevity and Net Worth Context

Cooper's decision arrives at a stage in his career where he has already spent more than three decades in broadcast journalism. Born on 3 June 1967, he began as a fact-checker before building a reputation as an international correspondent and eventually becoming one of the most recognisable anchors in American news.

Although he was born into the prominent Vanderbilt family, much of his wealth stems from his own broadcasting career, particularly his long-running role at CNN, which he has held since 200.

Estimates of his net worth vary, with figures often cited around $60 million, though some outlets suggest it could be closer to $200 million depending on calculations of his earnings and assets His annual CNN salary alone has been reported at roughly $20 million, placing him among the highest-paid news anchors in the United States.

Network Changes and Wider Industry Context

While not directly linked to newsroom upheaval, Cooper's exit comes during a period of broader change at CBS News, including leadership shifts and high-profile editorial disputes in recent years. Those developments have prompted wider questions about the direction of flagship programmes such as 60 Minutes, even as the show continues to attract major correspondents.

Yet, rather than being framed as a reaction to those internal dynamics, Cooper's move has been presented publicly as a personal recalibration after years of juggling overlapping roles in a demanding news cycle. He indicated that the decision had been considered carefully over time, particularly as his children grow older and require more of his presence at home.

What Happens Next

Although stepping away from 60 Minutes, Cooper is expected to remain highly visible on television. His nightly CNN programme continues to anchor the network's primetime lineup, and he still hosts long-form specials and live event coverage.

With that in mind, the exit reads less like a professional pivot and more like a selective scaling back of commitments after nearly two decades in one of America's most prestigious news magazines.