Anderson Cooper bid farewell to CBS’ 60 Minutes after 20 years as a main correspondent, pointing to the show’s lasting quality while explaining his exit in February 2026 as time with his sons takes priority.
Anderson Cooper’s farewell to 60 Minutes landed with a clear mix of appreciation and practicality: after 20 years as one of the show’s main correspondents, he said goodbye during his final episode in May 2026.
On the CBS newsmagazine’s last broadcast in May 2026. the journalist. 58. said. “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 also acknowledged change. adding. “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 first debuted on CBS in 1968, and Cooper joined the program in 2006 as one of its correspondents. He confirmed his exit earlier, in February 2026.
In the statement he issued then, Cooper framed the departure as both a career honor and a scheduling shift.. “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 went on to explain the balance he’d maintained: “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.”
That line about his family pointed directly to his sons, Wyatt, 6, and Sebastian, 4, whom he coparents with ex Benjamin Maisani. Cooper’s final goodbye to the program came on May 17, 2026.
During his farewell speech, Cooper zeroed in on what he believes keeps 60 Minutes successful.. “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,” he said.. He also described what it takes to make a story: “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.” Cooper added. “I hope that’s known and honored and valued and continues.”
He also made it clear that 60 Minutes wasn’t his only professional obligation. “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.”
The way Cooper described his exit ties his personal timeline to his work routine: he said he balanced CNN and CBS for nearly 20 years. then pointed to having “little kids now” as the reason he wants more time with them. while also describing that at CNN “doesn’t like it” if he takes time off for 60 Minutes and that he’s worked “mostly for 60 Minutes on weekends.”
Cooper’s remarks also addressed how the arrangement worked in practice.. He 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.”
Even after leaving 60 Minutes, Cooper isn’t stepping away from television. He will continue to host his daily show Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN.
Anderson Cooper 60 Minutes CBS CNN Anderson Cooper 360° May 17 2026 Wyatt Cooper Sebastian Cooper Benjamin Maisani
So he’s leaving TV but still talking about it on TV… ok.
I didn’t realize he’s been on 60 Minutes that long. 20 years is crazy. Also Feb 2026 like… did they already announce it and I just missed it? Hope he gets to actually be with his kids though.
Wait, does this mean 60 Minutes is canceled or just he’s gone? They say it’s cause of his sons but I swear these networks always shuffle people when ratings drop. Like maybe CNN stuff took over or something. Either way I feel like the show will be fine… but it’s not gonna be the same.
Anderson Cooper crying about time with his sons while I’m over here working 2 jobs lol. But yeah I get it. 60 Minutes been around forever since 1968, so he’s basically been part of history. I saw “goodbye” and thought he was leaving all news completely, but apparently he just moved schedules? confusing.