It may have been a 60 Minutes show, but Anderson Cooper stayed with viewers for nearly two long and memorable decades. After an incredible run, the host has now bid goodbye to the show, 60 minutes. In all these years, several celebrities and notable personalities appeared on the show, but the one face that never changed was Cooper’s, as he covered everything from politics and global events to in-depth interviews and much more. 

And neither did the soul or the show change through all these years. Calling this independence the key to the show’s success, the host turned emotional in the final episode.

Anderson Cooper said goodbye to 60 Minutes during the season finale on May 17, 2026. For the last episode, his last report focused on London’s taxi industry and how autonomous vehicles are changing the business. At the end of the episode, Cooper was visibly emotional as he said the words, “I’m Anderson Cooper.”

He paused for several seconds to hold back tears before repeating the line three times, which is a tradition on the show. While there is much speculation about his exit, Cooper had reportedly explained that he wants to spend more time with his children. He joined the show back in the 2006-07 season during a deal between CBS News and CNN. And during these years, he has handled the 60 Minutes show as well as his work on CNN.

“I think the trust it has with viewers is critical to the success of ’60 Minutes.’ When you see a ’60 Minutes’ story, and you’re like, ‘That was a really good story.’ It was a good story because it requires time, it requires patience, it requires money,” he said. 

“I hope that’s known and honored and valued and continues.”

Jon Stewart, Steven Spielberg and Bruce Springsteen Set for Stephen Colbert's Final Week

Recently, in May, yet another iconic host has bid goodbye to his show.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been with audiences for nearly 10 years. And this May, the show is set to air its final episode. Following the end of the program, Stephen Colbert is expected to take on several high-profile projects and focus more on his work as a writer.

The show’s final week has featured several guests and close friends of the host and heartwarming tributes as part of the farewell celebrations. Fellow late-night hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel, also appeared on the show to celebrate Colbert’s long run on television. The historic run of the show will end on May 22, 2026.

Stephen Colbert’s “Best Television Friends” Land on His Final Late-Night for a Memorable Send Off

Have you watched the last episode of 60 Minutes show? Let us know in the comments.