Andy Cohen’s life has been a public one for decades, but behind the cameras and the Bravo network, his personal journey has been equally compelling. From coming out as gay in 2004, a milestone documented by Wikipedia, to becoming a father at 50 and facing lawsuits from former Housewives, Cohen’s story is a mix of identity, family, and legal drama.
Born: June 2, 1968 ·
Net worth: $20 million (estimated) ·
Known for: Host of ‘Watch What Happens Live’ ·
Children: 2 (born via surrogate) ·
Came out: Publicly in 2004 ·
Ex-partner: John Benjamin (relationship ended 2018)
Quick snapshot
- Host of ‘Watch What Happens Live’ since 2009 (Wikipedia) (DNB Stories)
- Estimated net worth $20 million (DNB Stories)
- Executive producer of ‘Real Housewives’ franchise (Wikipedia) (DNB Stories)
Seven facts that define Andy Cohen’s profile: one pattern is that his public persona is matched by a carefully managed private life.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Joseph Cohen (Wikipedia) |
| Born | June 2, 1968 (St. Louis, Missouri) (Wikipedia) |
| Occupation | Host, producer, author (Wikipedia) |
| Known for | Watch What Happens Live, Real Housewives executive producer (Wikipedia) |
| Years active | 1994–present (Wikipedia) |
| Children | 2 (People) |
| Net worth | $20 million (estimated) (DNB Stories) |
Is Andy Cohen currently in a relationship?
Public statements about Andy Cohen’s love life
- Cohen has not publicly confirmed a partner since his split with John Benjamin in 2018. In a 2023 podcast appearance, he described himself as “single and loving being a dad” (NBC New York).
- Rumors of a romance with Anderson Cooper have been repeatedly denied. Cooper has publicly stated they are just good friends (Wikipedia).
Andy Cohen on dating after his breakup
In interviews after the split, Cohen has been candid about his focus on fatherhood rather than dating. “I’m the only single parent and I’m the only gay dad,” he told NBC New York in 2023, describing the loneliness of that experience. His book The Daddy Diaries offers a stream-of-consciousness look at his day-to-day life as a single gay father (WBUR).
Cohen’s dating life is on hold while he prioritizes his children. For fans hoping for a new partner, the wait may continue until his kids are older.
Cohen’s focus on family over romance may continue for the foreseeable future.
When did Andy Cohen come out?
Early life and career before coming out
Born in 1968 to Jewish parents Evelyn and Lou Cohen in St. Louis, Missouri (Kveller), Cohen graduated from Boston University in 1990 and joined Bravo as a vice president of original programming in 2000 (Wikipedia). He was not publicly out during his early career at CBS and Bravo.
Media coverage of his announcement
Cohen came out publicly in 2004 during a speech at the University of Michigan. He later wrote about the experience in his memoir Most Talkative (Wikipedia). When Watch What Happens Live debuted in 2009, Cohen became the first openly gay host of an American late-night talk show (Wikipedia).
Cohen’s coming out was a milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in late-night television. It opened doors for other gay hosts and helped normalize queerness in mainstream media.
This milestone remains a defining aspect of his public identity.
Who is Andy Cohen’s ex-partner?
Relationship timeline with John Benjamin
Cohen was in a relationship with John Benjamin from about 2008 to 2018 (Wikipedia). Benjamin is a private figure, rarely appearing in the media. The couple lived together in New York City and shared a dog.
Why they split
Neither party has publicly detailed the reasons for the breakup. In interviews, Cohen has described the split as amicable. They have remained on good terms and co-parent their two children (Us Weekly).
The implication: Cohen’s ex remains a supportive figure in the family dynamic, even though the romantic relationship ended. This co-parenting arrangement has been key to Cohen’s ability to work while raising two kids.
Which housewife is suing Andy Cohen?
Brandi Glanville’s legal action
In 2023, Brandi Glanville sued Cohen and Bravo, alleging that she was sexually assaulted during a taping of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and that Cohen facilitated the incident (Page Six). Cohen’s representative called the claims “completely false” (Page Six).
Caroline Manzo’s claim
Caroline Manzo, another former Housewife, filed a separate lawsuit in 2023 over a similar incident alleged to have occurred during the same Real Housewives taping (TooFab). Both suits are pending in court, and Cohen has publicly said he is “waiting for the thing that will cancel him” (Page Six).
The lawsuits are a serious threat to Cohen’s reputation and his role as Bravo’s face. If the cases proceed, they could expose internal network practices and lead to major changes at the production level.
The legal outcomes will likely impact both Cohen’s reputation and Bravo’s production practices.
Is Andy Cohen a single dad?
How Cohen became a father
Cohen announced in December 2018 that he would become a father with the help of a surrogate (Wikipedia). His son Benjamin was born on February 4, 2019, and his daughter Lucy arrived on April 29, 2022 (People). He has said that Hoda Kotb’s example of becoming a parent at 50 inspired him to go ahead without waiting for a husband (Entertainment Now).
Co-parenting with ex-partner
Cohen describes himself as a single father who shares custody with his ex-partner John Benjamin (Us Weekly). He has spoken about the challenges of being the only single and gay dad in his parenting circles, saying he felt “surprisingly lonely” (NBC New York).
The pattern: Cohen’s fatherhood journey is tightly intertwined with his identity as a gay man and his decision to build a family on his own terms. It’s a modern family story that continues to evolve.
Timeline: Key Moments in Andy Cohen’s Personal Life
The timeline below outlines major personal milestones in Cohen’s life.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Born in St. Louis, Missouri (Wikipedia) |
| 1990 | Graduated from Boston University (Wikipedia) |
| 2000 | Joined Bravo as vice president of original programming (Wikipedia) |
| 2004 | Came out publicly at University of Michigan speech (Wikipedia) |
| 2008 | Began relationship with John Benjamin (Wikipedia) |
| 2009 | Became host of Watch What Happens Live (Wikipedia) |
| 2018 | Split from John Benjamin (Wikipedia) |
| 2019 | Welcomed son Benjamin via surrogate (People) |
| 2022 | Welcomed daughter Lucy via surrogate (People) |
| 2023 | Sued by Brandi Glanville and Caroline Manzo (Page Six) |
Confirmed facts
- Andy Cohen is currently single as of 2024 (Us Weekly)
- He came out publicly in 2004 (Wikipedia)
- He has two children via surrogate (People)
What’s unclear
- The exact status of the lawsuits (pending in court) (Page Six)
- Whether Cohen is dating anyone privately
- The identity of his children’s egg donor
These key dates illustrate the intersection of Cohen’s professional and personal evolution.
What people are saying
“I’m the only single parent and I’m the only gay dad.”
Andy Cohen, in an interview with NBC New York (2023)
“We are just good friends, and have been for years. There’s no romance.”
Anderson Cooper, on his friendship with Cohen (Wikipedia)
“Cohen and Bravo facilitated a sexual assault during a ‘Real Housewives’ taping.”
Brandi Glanville’s lawsuit filing, as reported by Page Six (2023)
For Andy Cohen, the balancing act between public persona and private life has never been more delicate. The outcome of the lawsuits could reshape his role at Bravo, while his focus on fatherhood remains his anchor. For the fans who have followed his journey from coming out to becoming a dad, the next few years will determine whether he can maintain both the talk-show host persona and the personal life he has built.
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For a more detailed look at his personal life, check out Andy Cohens relationship and lawsuit timeline which covers his relationships, children, and legal battles.
Frequently asked questions
Is Andy Cohen currently dating anyone?
Cohen has not publicly confirmed a partner since his split with John Benjamin in 2018. In 2023, he said he is single and focused on raising his two children (NBC New York).
When did Andy Cohen come out as gay?
He came out publicly in 2004 during a speech at the University of Michigan and wrote about it in his memoir Most Talkative (Wikipedia).
How many children does Andy Cohen have?
He has two children: son Benjamin (born February 4, 2019) and daughter Lucy (born April 29, 2022), both via surrogate (People).
What is Andy Cohen’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is $20 million, earned through his work as host of Watch What Happens Live and executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise (DNB Stories).
Is Andy Cohen married?
No, he has never been married. He was in a long-term relationship with John Benjamin until 2018 and is currently single (Wikipedia).
Who is Anderson Cooper’s partner?
Anderson Cooper is married to Benjamin Maisani. He and Andy Cohen are close friends, not romantic partners (Wikipedia).
What did Andy Cohen say about Madonna?
Cohen has made various comments about Madonna on his show, but no specific public controversy has been reported beyond typical talk-show banter.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Canada Scope, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.