Anderson Cooper, one of television's most prominent journalists, is leaving CBS News's "60 Minutes" after nearly 20 years as a correspondent, citing a desire to prioritize time with his young children.
The 58-year-old anchor announced the departure on Monday, stating it will occur after the current season ends. "Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career," Cooper said.
"For nearly twenty 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."
He will continue his full-time roles at CNN, including anchoring "Anderson Cooper 360," hosting "The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper," and his podcast "All There Is with Anderson Cooper."
"We’re grateful to him for dedicating so much of his life to this broadcast, and understand the importance of spending more time with family," the network said. "60 Minutes will be here if he ever wants to return."
Cooper's exit comes amid broader changes and reported turmoil at CBS News under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who began her role in October and is pushing for an overhaul to attract audiences across formats. Weiss has described the previous broadcast-focused strategy as unsustainable, stating in a recent staff town hall that clinging to it would leave the network "toast."
Recent controversies include Weiss's decision in December to delay a segment on an El Salvador prison housing Venezuelan migrants sent by the Trump administration, which drew internal pushback before airing in January with modifications.
Cooper, widely regarded as one of the most recognizable faces on "60 Minutes," has covered major stories during his tenure, including long COVID patients, Mexico's drug war, and inmates in an African prison who produced Grammy-winning music.
The departure was first reported by Breaker.