Fashion Designer Gloria Vanderbilt Dies At 95

(Anderson Cooper and mother, Gloria Vanderbilt - image via Instagram)

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper announced the passing of his own mother, fashion designer/socialite Gloria Vanderbilt, in a moving eulogy this morning.

The artist, dubbed "the poor little rich girl" when she was a child, was 95 years old.

In her teens, she began her career as a model but eventually became a fashion designer. In 2002, she sold her company for $138 million.

From CNN:

"Gloria Vanderbilt was an extraordinary woman, who loved life, and lived it on her own terms," Cooper said in a statement. "She was a painter, a writer and designer but also a remarkable mother, wife, and friend.

"She was 95 years old, but ask anyone close to her, and they'd tell you: She was the youngest person they knew -- the coolest and most modern."

Vanderbilt was diagnosed with an advanced form of stomach cancer earlier this month, Cooper said.

She joined Instagram at the age of 93, and Anderson says she was amazed anyone was interested in her on social media even as she accrued over 200k followers. Click over to peruse a fascinating collection of personal photos and art by the designer.

Cooper posted these photos of his mother on her 95th birthday:

View this post on Instagram

Happy 95th Birthday to my mom, @gloriavanderbilt. Still painting everyday @gloriavanderbiltstudio. Still dreaming and creating, still believing the next great love is right around the corner. Who knows? Maybe she is right? I love you, Mom.

A post shared by andersoncooper (@andersoncooper) on Feb 20, 2019 at 6:40am PST