CNN's Anderson Cooper leaves CBS '60 Minutes' correspondent gig after nearly 20 years

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper is leaving CBS News' "60 Minutes" program as a correspondent after nearly 20 years.

Cooper, 58, joined "60 Minutes" as a rotating correspondent in 2007.

In making his announcement, he praised his time on the long-form TV news show and cited as the reason for his departure a desire to spend more time with his young children "while they still want to spend time with me."

"Being a correspondent at 60 Minutes has been one of the great honors of my career," said Cooper, who reportedly informed CBS of his decision weeks ago. 

"I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors, and camera crews in the business. For nearly twenty years, I've been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now, and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, 

Cooper co-parents his two sons with ex-partner Benjamin Maisani.

A spokesperson for CBS News told Fox News, "For more than two decades, Anderson Cooper has taken 60 Minutes viewers on journeys to faraway places, told us unforgettable stories, reported consequential investigations and interviewed many prominent figures."