The #Cuomobrothers have been trending since the coronavirus pandemic started. Between New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily press briefings and younger brother Chris’ CNN Cuomo Prime Time, the duo has taken over the airwaves and has people tuning in to get the facts and a whole lot of unintentional entertainment. There have been song parodies dedicated to the older Cuomo, who has also been given the nickname “Love Gov” and more of a focus on Chris’ bulging biceps during his workout videos posted to his Instagram. (Since his own diagnosis of COVID-19, those have ceased until he is recovered.) Both of which the siblings love to take jabs at each other every chance they get.
Through the jokes and the teasing, Andrew and Chris, who are 13 years apart in age, show their astounding love for la famiglia, their mother Matilda in particular, and each other. For every backhanded compliment, there is a message of adoration shared. The 49-year-old journalist credits his big brother for raising him during the time their father Mario was in office.
Their banter did take a more serious turn when they discussed Chris’ own positive result during one of the governor’s press conferences. Appearing visibly worried, the 62-year-old dad-of-three listened as Chris shared his symptoms and gave viewers an update. Andrew wrote in part on Instagram: “I’m so proud of him for showing New York what this vicious virus looks like and for demystifying it. Love you, little brother.”
Don’t be fooled, their playful digs quickly resumed, and most recently, on Chris’ April 8 show it reached an all new level of laughs when the host shared a throwback photo of their family including sisters Maria, Madeline and Margaret and Andrew in a huckapoo shirt. The governor threatened to end the interview unless Chris took it down, but he didn’t disappoint the viewers and kept it up. “They are just coming to love you now as much as I have my whole life because of your commitment to what you do for other people,” Chris concluded the interview. “It’s what matters most to me about you, and I love you very much. Thank you for coming on the show and keeping my spirits up.”
Lift your own spirits by scrolling to take a trip down memory lane to see the best of the Cuomo bros while learning a bit more about them.
La Famiglia
Chris is the youngest out of the five siblings. Margaret is the first born, then Andrew, Maria and Madeline. The closeknit Italian-American family grew up in Queens and are all extremely successful.
While Andrew and Chris are public figures, Margaret is a renowned physician and radiologist. Maria is chairwoman of HELP USA and is married to fashion designer Kenneth Cole. Madeline is the youngest out of the ladies and is an attorney.
Big Bro Andrew
Andrew stepped in a lot and helped Chris navigate life. “My father was always working, so it was always just me and Chris,” he shared. “My father was a very strong personality, and my father basically suggested forcefully to Chris that he should be a lawyer. It was a different time and a different place. So, Chris went to law school. God bless him, he quit the law firm, went to work for Fox TV, which is a whole separate conversation in the house, and then worked his way up. He‘s at CNN. He does a beautiful job. If you had said to my father, ‘I want to follow my individual star,’ he would say, ‘You can follow your individual star right out that door.’”
Mama’s Boys
Their mother Matilda, a former teacher and children and women’s advocate, is clearly the apple of their eyes. Both brothers mentioned her to promote the new #IStayHomeFor campaign and had a friendly squabble over “my mother” on Chris’ April 8 show. Each of them wanted credit for acknowledging her first. “Who are you staying home for? Because I‘m staying home for my mom,” Chris said.
Andrew quickly rebutted, “Yeah, the whole campaign is dedicated to my mother. And I said that first thing this morning when I posted my picture. I’m staying home for my mother.”
Chris replied, “You’re staying home for your mom, too? Isn’t that weird after I just said it.”
Andrew not missing a beat: “No, I went first. I had my picture at my press conference saying I’m doing it for my mother. And she was my mother first, by the way.”
On another show “visit,” Chris thanked the governor for joining to which Andrew said, “Mom told me I had to.”
Tough Love
The two men idolized their father, who spent most of his life in politics and passed in 2015. Along with this photo that was shared on Instagram, Chris wrote: “I hold on to memories like this. Big bro and I razzing Pop at a birthday, making him laugh. He loved to laugh; loved trading barbs. And it was a great dynamic among us three - one man always being ganged up on. So much love and respect was conveyed. Now it is just Andrew and me. And I say just because the void is deep, so painful still.”
Rebel of the Family
As the baby of the family, Chris must have tested the waters to see what he would get away with. Andrew offered some insight into their home life growing up on one of his shows. “You violated the curfew all the time,” the governor quipped. “Caused much pain, but that‘s a different story.”
Chris responded: “I don’t believe in rules.”
Brotherly Love
During the governor’s daily press conference on April 2, Chris joined from his basement where he is fighting the virus. Despite his fever and sleepless night, the younger Cuomo took the call in stride, and Andrew was relieved to see him doing okay. “When he told me he had the coronavirus, it scared me,” Andrew said. “It frightened me. Why? Because we still don‘t know... Because we’re talking about my brother. This is my best friend. I talk to him several times a day, basically spent my whole life with him.”
The Love Gov
Chris may have been named one of People’s Most Beautiful in 1997 and on eligible bachelor lists before marrying his wife Christine in 2001, but it’s his older brother who is newly single and capturing the hearts of many.
On his April 8 show, the former lawyer asked his brother about this newfound status and nickname Love Gov. “I’ve always been a soft guy,” Andrew said with a smile. “I am the love gov. I’m a cool dude and real smooth.”
Gone Fishing
The duo spends much of their free time on the open waters fishing. Both of their Instagram pages show off their catches and sibling competition. While joining the politician in his daily press briefing, Chris made sure to take a jab at his brother’s skills. “You’re the only person I have ever known who fishes in all white because you have no expectation of getting any kind of fish or any kind of substance on you at any time when you fish.”
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