Proud Son! See Anderson Cooper’s Most Touching Quotes About Late Mom Gloria Vanderbilt

Anderson Cooper‘s sweetest quotes about his late mom, Gloria Vanderbilt, prove he couldn’t be more proud to be her son. The beloved CNN star continues to honor the late heiress and fashion designer after she died at age 95 in June 2019.

To mark the first anniversary of her death, Anderson shared a touching tribute on social media. The iconic news anchor commemorated the somber day with a stunning photo of Gloria in front of an art easel, as well as a lengthy message.

“My mom, @gloriavanderbilt, died one year ago today,” he wrote on June 17. “She is alive in my heart and in the hearts of all who knew her and loved her. She had an extraordinary and indomitable spirit, grit, determination, passion and vulnerability. She experienced great love and horrific tragedies, but she never lost her almost childlike optimism; her openness to the world around her.”

“She chose to remain vulnerable,” Anderson continued. “Others would have closed off their hearts, protected themselves. My mom wanted to see and hear and feel everything … and that is exactly what she did. Bravo, Mom, bravo.”

Gloria’s death last summer came after a heartbreaking battle with a very advanced form of stomach cancer — which spread to other parts of her body shortly before her death. Anderson announced the news of his mother’s passing in a statement aired on CNN at the time.

“Gloria Vanderbilt was an extraordinary woman who loved life and lived it on her own terms,” he candidly shared during the on-air eulogy. “She was a painter, a writer, a designer — but also a remarkable mother, wife and friend. She was 95 years old, but ask anyone close to her and they’d tell you she was the youngest person they knew, the coolest and most modern.”

Aside from Anderson’s heartfelt words for his mom, the 60 Minutes host continues to honor Gloria in other ways. Following the birth of his son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, via surrogacy in late April, Anderson revealed how his mom and late dad Wyatt Emory Cooper helped inspire the moniker for his little bundle of joy.

“He is named after my father, who died when I was 10. I hope I can be as good a dad as he was,” the doting father explained on Instagram. “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.”

There’s no doubt Anderson is going to tell little Wyatt all about his incredible grandma and grandpa!

Scroll through the gallery below to see Anderson’s sweetest quotes about Gloria.