• Antoine Benjamin Maisani was born in Corsica, France and has both American and French citizenship
• Attended Hunter College in New York to study Filmmaking, but discovered his passion when he began working at a bar in Barracuda, Chelsea
• Owns a number of bars, clubs and investments, and has an estimated net worth of $4 million
• Formerly in a relationship with Anderson Cooper from 2009-2018
• Enjoys fitness, has a height of 5ft 6in (168cm), and weighs 116lbs (53kgs)
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Early life, family, educational background
Antoine Benjamin Maisani was born on 27 January 1973, in Corsica, France, into a Catholic family. His family who encouraged him to pursue his studies after leaving his job at the Morgan Library. He now has both American and French citizenship.
With his impressive GPA score of 4.0, Benjamin was accepted into Hunter College in New York to study Filmmaking. However, Benjamin soon learnt that filmmaking was not where his passion lay, and found his purpose when he began working at a bar in Barracuda, Chelsea.
Who is Anderson Cooper?
Anderson Hays Cooper was born on 3 June 1967, in Manhattan, New York City, and is a CNN journalist and television personality as well as an author. He is also the anchor of CNN’s news show, “Anderson Cooper 360°.” Anderson is openly gay, the son of heiress, writer, fashion designer and artist, Gloria Vanderbilt and Wyatt Emory Cooper. It is apparent that Anderson was born into a wealthy family – his maternal grandparents were socialite Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, and equestrian Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, both of whom were millionaires.
Anderson’s maternal great-great-great-grandfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt, was the founder of Vanderbilt shipping.
Anderson’s father passed away on 5 January 1978 after suffering several heart attacks during open-heart surgery. On 22 July 1988, Anderson’s 23-year-old brother, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper, committed suicide, according to their mother caused by a psychotic episode due to an allergic reaction to his anti-asthma prescription medication. Anderson says that his brother’s suicide ignited his interest in journalism.
Career
Benjamin is a successful businessman, and owns a number of bars and clubs, three of which are famous in New York.
When Benjamin was 21, he started his first job working at Morgan Library in Madison Avenue. A few years later, he started working at a gay bar, which paid a higher salary. The bar was a trendy spot, so Benjamin met several celebrities, such as Andy Cohen, Whoopi Goldberg and his future boyfriend, Anderson Cooper. The first gay bar Benjamin owned is located at 505 E 6th Street and named Eastern bloc.
The second gay bar was located at 40 Avenue C and is called the Bedlam Bar and Lounge, and the third Benjamin opened was the Atlas Social Club, in 2013. Sugarland Nightclub was opened in Brooklyn, in 2014, but was later closed for unknown reasons.
In March 2017, Benjamin said in an interview with “Frenchly,” ‘I’ve always been a night person. The bar got me out of my books and the cozy atmosphere of the Morgan. And working in a social environment forced me to work on my timidity. It gave me self-confidence.’ In contrast to the nature of his businesses, Benjamin is a reserved man who does not enjoy going out a lot.
Benjamin is admired for never using Anderson’s fame to garner more popularity, but he instead continuously worked hard.
Personal life
Benjamin’s quiet personality suggests that he never wanted to become famous, he sees his fame as an unfortunate but expected side effect to dating Anderson, ‘I understand that it interests people, but it doesn’t interest me. Like most people, I never really thought about it, and I never wanted to be a celebrity. I knew I’d have to be careful right from the start, before it had a chance to get out of hand.’
Benjamin and Anderson were in a relationship from 2009-2018. Anderson’s estimated net worth is around $200 million, and his annual income is about $11 million. Assets include a waterfront home in the Hamptons, valued at more than $1.7 million.
Benjamin and Anderson purchased a home together at Greenwich Village, which they reportedly bought for $4.3 million – the house is enormous at 8,240-square-feet (486.8119-square-metres). However, this was not the first house they purchased together – the couple also bought a mansion in Connecticut that reputedly cost more than $5 million.
Back in 2012, photographs surfaced of Benjamin kissing another man. Contrary to what the images alluded to, Benjamin informed the public that Anderson and himself had not broken up. Entirely opposing to the rumors, Benjamin also said that he would like to have a baby, and start a family with Anderson.
Anderson Cooper actually hissed at …
by Nick Gayer.
#AndersonCooper #BenjaminMaisani #GayCouple https://t.co/OPO3fNsiJ6 pic.twitter.com/mkzcjJYpf1— meaws (@meaws_com) January 24, 2017
The pair lived together in Manhattan, in an apartment converted from a fire station. In 2012 it was rumored that they had tied the knot, but this has never been confirmed. The marriage rumors were re-feulled in October 2018 – according to some sources, Anderson’s mother, then 92-years-old, walked her son down the aisle.
Benjamin and Anderson would go on lavish vacations, usually costing them thousands of dollars. In 2017, they spent a long weekend on a boat in Venice, Italy.
However, in 2018 the seemingly happy couple of nine years confirmed their split. Anderson said that although they are no longer together, they remain close friends and will continue to live their lives together. Neither party has disclosed the reasoning for their split, but allegedly it was due to Anderson’s workaholic personality and subsequent constant travelling, when Benjamin wanted him to stay home so they could start a family together.
Hobbies, favorite things and interesting facts
Benjamin bought a 5 000-square-foot (464,5152-square-meters) watering hole which is situated at 753 Ninth Avenue, between 50th and 51st streets.
Appearance
Benjamin is of white ethnicity; his height is 5ft 6in (168cm), and he weighs 116lbs (53kgs). He enjoys fitness and working out, so he has a healthy, muscular body;
Net worth and salary
Benjamin has an estimated net worth of $4 million. Club owners earn anything from $80,000 to $100,000 annually. Aside from his bars and clubs, Benjamin also makes money through his investments, which are mostly in other bars and clubs.
1 Comment
I live in NYC and I know Benjamin, he’s NOT 5’6, his height is 5’9