Let’s talk about something close to Andy Cohen’s heart—fatherhood. For years, Andy has known that he wanted to experience the joys of raising a child. And on February 4, when his baby boy Benjamin Allen Cohen entered the world, his life changed forever. Since then, Andy has shared plenty of heartfelt moments about what it’s like to be a first-time dad. But during a recent appearance on the Today show on February 19, Andy revealed more about his journey to parenthood, diving into the decisions and challenges that came with it.
Choosing Surrogacy: A Personal Decision
When co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie asked Andy why he decided to go the surrogacy route instead of adoption, he opened up about the financial and logistical considerations that came with his choice. "I was really fortunate to have the means to make this happen," the 50-year-old explained. "It’s not an easy process—it can be expensive and complicated—but once I made up my mind, I just said, 'This is what I want to do, and I’m going to try my best to make it happen.' And guess what? It worked out beautifully."
Surrogacy isn’t always an option for everyone, and Andy acknowledged that. "It’s incredible to me that surrogacy is actually illegal in many states," he said. "New York and New Jersey, for example, don’t allow it, which is why I ended up going to California. That’s where I met my amazing surrogate, who I owe so much to. She truly changed my life."
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Why Surrogacy Over Adoption?
Hoda, who adopted her daughter Haley Joy in 2017, asked Andy why he specifically chose surrogacy. His answer was thoughtful and personal. "It’s mind-blowing to me that surrogacy is illegal in so many places," he said. "And honestly, it’s frustrating that there are still states where gay people aren’t allowed to adopt. It’s 2019—we should be past all of that."
Despite these challenges, Andy refused to let anything stand in his way. "The idea of becoming a father had been in the back of my mind for a long time," he explained. "I remember being at my friends’ houses, watching them tuck their kids into bed, and thinking to myself, 'I want that in my life.' As I got older, I started asking myself, 'Where am I going? What do I want for the rest of my life?' Once I made the decision, there was no turning back."
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Age Isn’t Just a Number
At 50 years old, Andy knows he’s embarking on this journey later in life, but he’s not letting that stop him. "Once I decided to become a dad, I was all in," he said. "Hoda, you were such a huge inspiration to me. Watching you welcome Haley Joy into your life when you were in your early 50s gave me the confidence to believe that I could do it too." Andy added, "I’m 50, let’s be honest here. But age isn’t everything. If you want something badly enough, you go for it."
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Writing as a Catalyst for Change
Another factor that played a big role in Andy’s decision to become a father was his experience writing his two autobiographical diaries. "Publishing those books really made me reflect on how I was living my life," he explained. "I spent three years documenting my days, and it made me realize that I could either keep doing the same thing year after year or I could shake things up and try something new. I didn’t want to look back and think, 'Is this all there is?' So, I decided to take the leap." And we couldn’t be happier for him!
