Anderson Cooper announced his son’s birth with an adorable Instagram post

Anderson Cooper is officially a dad, an accomplishment he admitted that, as a kid, he “never thought” would happen.

The CNN anchor shared the news of his son’s birth in a heartwarming Instagram post, shared late in the evening on April 30. Along with several photos of his baby, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, the new dad also shared some thoughts on his journey toward fatherhood.

“As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child,” Cooper wrote. “And I’m grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son’s birth.”

View this post on Instagram

I want to share with you some joyful news. On Monday, I became a father. This is Wyatt Cooper. He is three days old. He is named after my father, who died when I was ten. I hope I can be as good a dad as he was. My son's middle name is Morgan. It's a family name on my mom's side. I know my mom and dad liked the name morgan because I recently found a list they made 52 years ago when they were trying to think of names for me. Wyatt Morgan Cooper. My son. He was 7.2 lbs at birth, and he is sweet, and soft, and healthy and I am beyond happy. As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and I’m grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son's birth. Most of all, I am grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, and watched over him lovingly, and tenderly, and gave birth to him. It is an extraordinary blessing – what she, and all surrogates give to families who cant have children. My surrogate has a beautiful family of her own, a wonderfully supportive husband, and kids, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support they have given Wyatt and me. My family is blessed to have this family in our lives I do wish my mom and dad and my brother, Carter, were alive to meet Wyatt, but I like to believe they can see him. I imagine them all together, arms around each other, smiling and laughing, happy to know that their love is alive in me and in Wyatt, and that our family continues.

A post shared by andersoncooper (@andersoncooper) on

According to CNN, Cooper had not spoken publicly about his plans to have a child, and his announcement came as a surprise to most TV viewers. That didn’t stop fans from celebrating the moment though, as thousands began pouring in supportive comments.

“Congrats Anderson! He for sure is a lucky kid. You will be an amazing dad,” one user wrote.

“Much-needed joyful news! So happy for you both,” another commented.

Cooper did not share the identity of his baby’s surrogate mother, but he went on to thank her extensively in his post.

“It is an extraordinary blessing – what she, and all surrogates give to families who cant have children,” Cooper wrote. “My surrogate has a beautiful family of her own, a wonderfully supportive husband, and kids, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support they have given Wyatt and me. My family is blessed to have this family in our lives.”

Cooper, 52, currently hosts “Anderson Cooper 360” on CNN. The longtime TV anchor also announced his son’s birth on-air, while signing off during a weekly town hall segment on April 30.

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