Anderson Cooper Reveals How He Avoids Mirrors Due to Gray Hair While Living with Ex He Raises 2 Toddlers With

Anderson Cooper, the silver fox with a pinch of pepper, may be dodging mirrors, but he's certainly not avoiding a good laugh about his graying journey. And while gray hair might be his signature, Cooper's lighthearted revelation sheds light on his relatable quirks while navigating family life with his former partner and raising two spirited toddlers.

Anderson Cooper, the journalist, author, and podcast host, recently shared some insights that reveal he's not exactly happy about his hair. Known affectionately as "The Silver Fox" by many, Cooper admitted to Kelly Ripa that his love affair with his graying mane has been quite the rollercoaster ride.

It all began back in his college days when he was pulling double duty as a student and a member of the crew team. Cooper remembers those days when his hair decided it was time to embrace the silver lining. He attributes it to a rigorous regimen and some serious dieting. He shared:

"I was on the crew team, and I was starving myself to get down to a race weight of 125 pounds. My hair, by senior year, started to go gray, which I think has something to do with my poor diet and starving myself for four years."

It seems that the pursuit of victory in those rowing races led to the emergence of those silver strands, turning his once salt-and-pepper hair into a dazzling display of gray. Who knew that those rigorous rowing regimens would leave their mark in such a silver fashion?

Of course, genetics also played a role in this follicular transformation. Cooper's half-brother sports a mane that's shockingly white, and both of his parents started embracing the silver fox look early in life. But it's safe to say that Cooper's hair has taken on a life of its own, and he's embracing it with humor and humility.

Yet, even with all the silver strands on his head, there are still patches of pepper that Cooper wishes he could expand. Now, as he gazes upon his reflection in the mirror, he can't help but cringe at his own transformation. Without missing a beat, he confesses:

"I try to avoid looking in mirrors now because when I do, I look at a mirror... I'm like Casper the Friendly Ghost. I'm just completely white. I'm like, if I took off my glasses, you couldn't see me at all."

Anderson Cooper's Heartfelt Desire for Another Bundle of Joy

While Cooper may be known for his silver locks and journalistic prowess, there's another role he cherishes. The CNN anchor embraces fatherhood with open arms, and at 53 years young, he wasn't quite ready to put away the baby booties just yet. In a candid conversation with People, Cooper revealed that he was leaving a cozy corner in his heart for the possibility of more kids.

You see, he was already the doting dad to a then 16-month-old Wyatt Morgan, a role he shared with his ex-partner, Benjamin Maisani. As for the question of whether he'd wanted to have more kids, his response was:

"I would, definitely. It would certainly be nice for Wyatt to have a sibling. Yeah, it would be."

Cooper's journey into fatherhood not only brought newfound joy but also a profound connection to his late loved ones. His mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, left this world in June 2019 at the age of 95, and his brother, Carter, departed tragically at just 23 in 1988.

Anderson Cooper and Benjamin's Unconventional Co-Parenting Journey

In 2018, after nearly a decade of being in a relationship, Cooper and his longtime boyfriend, Maisani, confirmed that they had parted ways romantically. However, their story was far from over. In a heartfelt statement to People, Cooper shared:

"Benjamin and I separated as boyfriends some time ago. We are still family to each other and love each other very much. We remain the best of friends and will continue to share much of our lives together."

The bond they had cultivated over the years didn't crumble with the end of their romantic relationship. Instead, it blossomed into something equally beautiful. In April 2020, they celebrated the arrival of their first child, the adorable Wyatt, through surrogacy.

Despite the change in their relationship status, their unwavering friendship laid the foundation for a harmonious co-parenting partnership. In February 2022, they expanded their family even further, welcoming their second son, Sebastian.

Cooper candidly admits that, like any co-parenting duo, they have their moments of "usual bickering." Decisions about swimming class schedules or what little Sebastian should wear may occasionally spark disagreements, but Cooper emphasizes that these are minor and easily resolved. He also revealed to Ellen DeGeneres that they live in the same house as they parent their children together.

In a world where family structures take many shapes and forms, Cooper and Maisani's arrangement proves that family is what you make it.