Though CNN’s Anderson Cooper comes from an extremely wealthy family—his mother Gloria Vanderbilt has both inherited millions and since made millions more—the massively successful news anchor believes inherited wealth is a “curse.”

Speaking to Howard Stern, Cooper, who reportedly makes $11 million a year, stated that his mother, estimated to be worth $200 million, “made clear to me that there's no trust fund—there’s none of that.” This decision to deny him inheritance Cooper insists he is thankful for, declaring, “I don't believe in inheriting money,” arguing that inherited money is a “curse” and an “initiative sucker.”

Who's inherited a lot of money that has gone on to do things in their own life? ... From the time I was growing up, if I felt that there was some pot of gold waiting for me, I don't know that I would've been so motivated.

Cooper, 46, greatly admires his mother and expressed gratitude that she has instilled in him a sense of financial independence and a strong worth ethic, adding that if he were to become a father one day, he would follow her lead in raising his children:

I would want them to start working early on and start to have a sense of responsibility. If maybe I felt like they had a good sense of responsibility, maybe I would try to leave some money. I don't know.

Cooper has repeatedly expressed his admiration for his mother. In December, he perhaps took it too far, joyfully recounting his mother’s sexual escapades on live television.