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Broadcast journalist Anderson Cooperis the younger son of Gloria Vanderbilt and her fourth husband, Wyatt Emory Cooper.
Although Christopher was 15 years older than Cooper, the two reportedly had a close relationship.
The two half-siblings also shared common ground in that their fathers died within a year of each other.
Christopher’s father died in 1977.
Tragically, when Cooper was 10 years old in 1978, his father died during heart surgery.
Christopher also had a tight bond with his mom.
“She was his best friend.
They were a really loving family,” April Sandmeyer, Christopher’s ex-fiancee, informedPage Six.
As a kid, Christopher was reportedly introverted.
As an adult, he was uncomfortable with having two well-known parents.
He also delighted in creating art, although he declined to attach his well-known name to these works.
Three years before his father died, Christopher embarked on a relationship with Sandmeyer.
By 1978, the couple were engaged, but turmoil within Christopher’s family led to their breakup.
Christopher was heartbroken, and he became estranged from his family until 2016.
Vanderbilt gave him expensive gifts and bankrolled his vacations.
The therapist was also a toxic influence on Christopher’s relationship with his then-fiancee, April Sandmeyer.
“Christopher was the love of my life,” Sandmeyer explained to theDaily Mailin 2014.
After Christopher and Sandmeyer broke up, he distanced himself from his family.
It was then that Vanderbilt discovered the two had split years earlier.
“When Carter died, I thought he would come back, but he didn’t.
And we respect his wishes,” Vanderbilt informedThe Telegraphin 2004.
When the interviewer inquired if she knew Christopher’s whereabouts, Vanderbilt refused to reveal any information.
When the film debuted, it garnered criticism for not providing more information about Christopher.
However, Sandmeyer surmised it was meant to be a kind gesture.
