Anderson Cooper - Speaker

Anderson Cooper is a prominent American broadcast journalist, political commentator, and CNN anchor. He graduated from Yale University in 1989 with a degree in political science and studied Vietnamese at the University of Hanoi. Cooper began his career as a fact-checker for Channel One News after struggling to get a job at ABC News. He created a press pass to cover political unrest in Myanmar, which led to his role as chief international correspondent for Channel One. In 1995, he joined ABC News, where he anchored World News Now and reported for various programs, including 20/20. He returned to news reporting in 2001. In December 2001, Cooper joined CNN, initially co-anchoring American Morning. By 2003, he launched his flagship program, Anderson Cooper 360°, known for its comprehensive coverage of major news events. His reporting on Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2010 Haiti earthquake significantly raised his profile, earning him the National Order of Honour and Merit from the Haitian government, among other accolades. Cooper has received 18 Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and an Edward Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club. He also serves as a correspondent for 60 Minutes and has hosted various CNN specials, including CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute and the documentary series Planet in Peril. In 2023, he launched a new Sunday primetime series, The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper. Publicly coming out as gay in 2012, Cooper has become a leading figure in LGBT representation in journalism, notably moderating a presidential debate in 2016. His career is defined by a commitment to in-depth reporting and engaging storytelling, solidifying his status as a key figure in American journalism.