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Anderson Cooper Exits 60 Minutes After Nearly 2 Decades
The Emmy-winning journalist is leaving his role as a correspondent on the CBS news program to spend more time with his family.
Feb. 19, 2026 at 9:23pm
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After nearly two decades as a correspondent for 60 Minutes, Emmy-winning journalist Anderson Cooper is exiting the CBS news program. Cooper joined 60 Minutes in the 2006-2007 season while also anchoring full-time on CNN, but has now decided not to renew his contract to spend more time with his young children.
Why it matters
Anderson Cooper's departure from 60 Minutes marks the end of an era, as he has been a fixture on the iconic news program for almost 20 years. His exit reflects a shift in priorities as he focuses on his family life, while also maintaining his high-profile roles at CNN.
The details
Cooper joined 60 Minutes as a correspondent in the 2006-2007 season, thanks to an agreement between CBS and CNN that allowed him to balance roles at both networks. However, sources say Cooper has now decided not to renew his contract with 60 Minutes, citing a desire to spend more time with his young children. His final story, on filmmaker Ken Burns, aired on Sunday.
- Cooper joined 60 Minutes as a correspondent in the 2006-2007 season.
- Cooper's final story for 60 Minutes aired on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
The players
Anderson Cooper
An Emmy-winning journalist who has served as a correspondent for 60 Minutes since the 2006-2007 season, while also anchoring full-time on CNN.
CBS News
The network that airs 60 Minutes, and has expressed gratitude for Cooper's contributions to the program over the past two decades.
What they’re saying
“Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career. I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors, and camera crews in the business. 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.”
— Anderson Cooper
“For more than two decades, Anderson Cooper has taken 60 Minutes viewers on journeys to faraway places, told us unforgettable stories, reported consequential investigations and interviewed many prominent figures. 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. 60 Minutes will be here if he ever wants to return.”
— CBS News
What’s next
It's possible that Cooper could make occasional appearances on 60 Minutes in the future, as CBS News has expressed openness to his return. However, for now, Cooper is focusing on spending more time with his young children and maintaining his high-profile roles at CNN.
The takeaway
Anderson Cooper's departure from 60 Minutes after nearly two decades marks the end of an era, as the Emmy-winning journalist shifts his priorities to spend more time with his family. While he will no longer be a regular correspondent on the iconic CBS News program, Cooper remains a prominent figure in journalism through his continued work at CNN.
