Anderson Cooper, the beloved broadcaster of his generation, has achieved remarkable success in his professional life despite enduring significant challenges in his personal journey.

As a 56-year-old CNN anchor, Anderson recently shared an emotional moment on Instagram, where he posted pictures of himself and his late brother, Carter. The images captured heartwarming memories, including a black-and-white photo of the two of them together and individual shots of Carter as a child and a teenager. In the poignant caption, Anderson reflected on the 35 years that have passed since Carter’s untimely death, expressing how he thinks of and misses his brother every single day.

Tragically, Carter passed away at the young age of 23 by suicide, jumping off the terrace wall of their mother Gloria Vanderbilt’s 14th-floor Manhattan apartment. The loss of their father, Wyatt Emory Cooper, a decade earlier had already deeply impacted Anderson’s life, but Carter’s death further intensified his emotional struggles.

In a previous year, Anderson gave a tour of his late mother’s New York City apartment and shared how the deaths of his father and brother had profoundly changed him forever. The weight of grief led him to withdraw deeply within himself, leaving him feeling like a mere shadow of his former self.

The memories associated with his late mother’s home are bittersweet, as they remind him of the people who are no longer there, adding to the emotional burden he carries. Even with the passage of time, discussing his father and brother remains incredibly challenging for Anderson. The pain and horror of Carter’s suicide still stun him, even after 34 years have elapsed.

Now a father himself, Anderson is raising two sons, Sebastian, 17 months old, and Wyatt, 3 years old, with his co-parent Benjamin Maisani. He witnesses a brotherly bond forming between his boys, who share a similar age gap as he did with his late brother. However, Anderson has chosen a different approach to parenting, opting for a more gradual and gentle approach to ensure Wyatt’s life isn’t drastically disrupted. This way, they can enjoy their time together without overwhelming Wyatt with constant attention.

Despite the profound challenges Anderson has faced in his life, he continues to be a source of inspiration and admiration for many, both in his professional career as a broadcaster and in his role as a devoted father.