Anderson Cooper Honors His Late Mother Gloria Vanderbilt 1 Year After Her Death

On June 17, 2019, Anderson Cooper lost his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, to cancer. On the first anniversary of her death, the CNN anchor took to social media to pay tribute to her.

Vanderbilt lived a long and fulfilling life and died at the age of 95. On Wednesday, her son, Cooper, 53, took to his Instagram account to celebrate her life in honor of her 1-year anniversary.

Adding a photo of Vanderbilt sitting next to an easel with a paintbrush in her hand, Cooper wrote: “My mom, @gloriavanderbilt, died one year ago today.” He added how she was still alive in his heart and “in the hearts of all who knew her and loved her.”

HONORING HIS MOTHER

The “Anderson Cooper 360°” host shared how his mother had an “extraordinary and indomitable spirit.” He also noted how she was a vulnerable, passionate, and determined person.

When everything else is taken away. There is only love

Despite experiencing tragedies in her life, Cooper noted that she “never lost her almost childlike optimism” and “openness to the world around her.” He revealed how Vanderbilt had wanted to feel, see, and hear everything despite her challenges.

CELEBRATING THE ARTIST

On his Instagram Stories, the journalist continued to celebrate his mother’s life. Cooper shared an image of his mother holding him when he was a newborn baby.

On top of a black-and-white picture of Vanderbilt, the star noted how she’d lived an “epic life” as a wife, a mother, "a lover, an actress, a designer, a writer…" Sharing the same picture of her posing next to an easel, the news anchor also called her an "artist.”

DAYS TO LIVE

He explained how she’d reacted when she heard she only had a few days left before her death. Vanderbilt reacted by saying:

“'Well, it's like that old song says, 'show me the way to get out of this world, because that's where everything is.'"

GLORIA’S GIGGLE

In two videos of Vanderbilt, that her son uploaded, the multi-talented woman was seen giggling while lying in a hospital bed. Cooper wrote how she’d said something funny a few minutes after being told about her impending death.

ANDERSON’S “SILLY” LAUGH

The journalist revealed how he realized that he’d gotten her “silly giggle” as they giggled together. He concluded the tributes by sharing a photo of him holding his mother’s hand.

DYING FROM CANCER

Cooper wrote: "In the end. When everything else is taken away. There is only love." Vanderbilt died in her Manhattan home from stomach cancer while surrounded by friends and family.

BECOMING A DAD

When she passed away, she already knew Cooper was interested in becoming a father. He revealed that "She was thrilled," by the prospect.

THE PRIDE ISSUE

In April 2020, the news anchor welcomed son Wyatt Morgan, 6-weeks-old, via surrogate. He recently featured on “People” magazine’s Pride Issue where he spoke about becoming a gay father.