For decades, Anderson Hays Cooper has always accompanied us every morning, reading the latest news of the day and sharing his considerable perspectives about politics. But to become what he is today, Anderson must have gone through various obstacles and knowledge barriers, mainly due to the lack of journalism education (at first).
Ready to peek a little bit into his steep journey?
Early Childhood
The popular newsman was born to famous parents
Anderson was a super-lucky baby, being born to Gloria Vanderbilt and Wyatt Cooper, a successful couple of the entertainment industry. Living his life at its fullest in luxury, he gained access to reputable publications, including Harper’s Bazaar—one of the famous magazines at that time! It seems that the constant touch with media is what made him interested in journalism.
Parties and Events
As the children of superstars, little Anderson and his brother appeared at Hollywood parties quite often, accompanying their parents. You can see his pictures on the internet, always wearing luxury suits and tie, whether he is enjoying shopping with family or attending a banquet event.
Teenage Life
He took up journalism as a career only after his brother’s passing
Even though he had a little bit of interest in journalism from a young age, he didn’t plan on pursuing the career until a tragedy struck him hard. Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, his older brother, passed away in 1988 due to the salbutamol allergy.
Anderson’s lifelong soulmate’s death became a life-changing experience for this teenager, and that’s when he decided to pursue a career in journalism. He was accepted at Yale, one of the prestigious Ivy League schools in States, and majored in Political Science!
Crazy Journey to the East
Following his graduation, Anderson got a job at ABC News as a receptionist, yet he didn’t seem too satisfied with the achievement. With a fake news press in his possession, this reporter embarked on a crazy journey to Myanmar, hoping that he would find some promising reports.
The fate was on his side, as he met some students protesting against the Burmese government! Obviously, Anderson didn’t waste such opportunity and recorded the event himself, selling it to Channel One afterward.
Most of us will think that what he did back then was stupid and risky, yet his brilliance made him attain a better job at a more significant media corporate!
Finally – A News Anchor
Today, Cooper’s voice reaches millions of Americans
Starting in 1995, Anderson successfully became a correspondent at ABC news and quickly got promoted to a co-news anchor position. But hold on – the consistency of this news anchor also stole the attention from other biggies like CNN. In only a few years, he managed to grab a high position at the channel, hosting his own show – Anderson Cooper 360°. His maturity and charm in delivering the news make him a prominent person in the television news today.
Who knew that behind the fascinating-smiley face of Anderson, there is a man with a fierce heart and persistence! We can learn a lot from his inspirational life story.