Are Ben and Jerry Still Alive? Who are Ben and Jerry?
by Janani | Updated Jul 06, 2023
Who are Ben and Jerry?
For the people who wish to know about Ben and Jerry, here is a brief introduction about them.
Who is Ben?
Ben Cohen is an American businessman and social activist. He is best known as the co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, a popular ice cream brand. Cohen has used his platform and success to champion various social causes and support progressive initiatives. He has been actively involved in the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, which distributes funds to organizations working on social issues.
Cohen is a vocal supporter of Democratic candidates and has participated in campaigns and protests to promote social justice and political reform. He has been recognized for his leadership in socially responsible business and received accolades, including being named a US Small Business Person of the Year in 1988.
Who is Jerry?
Jerry Greenfield, born on March 14, 1951, is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist known for co-founding Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings, Inc.
Greenfield's upbringing took place on Long Island. He pursued higher education at Oberlin College, where he excelled as a National Merit Scholar and followed a pre-medical curriculum. In 1973, he successfully completed his studies and obtained his degree.
Despite initially attempting to gain admission to medical school, he shifted gears and decided to venture into business with his childhood friend, Ben Cohen. To gain expertise in ice cream production, Greenfield enrolled in a course on the subject at Penn State.
Subsequently, he and Cohen launched their first ice cream store in downtown Burlington, Vermont. The company, which was eventually acquired by the British-Dutch corporation Unilever in 2000, has since expanded with nearly 200 franchised shops and currently generates annual earnings of $237 million.
Jerry Greenfield's contributions to the establishment and success of Ben & Jerry's have left a lasting impact on the ice cream industry.
Are Ben and Jerry Still Alive?
Yes, both Ben and Jerry are still alive. Talking about their growth together, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the founders of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, were searching for a suitable location for their ice cream parlor in 1977. They wanted a college town with warm weather, assuming that college students consumed a lot of ice cream. After researching various options, they settled on Burlington, Vermont in 1978.
To set up their business, they chose an old gas station as their building. However, securing financing proved challenging due to the short-term lease on the gas station. Eventually, they obtained a $4,000 loan and renovated the station. On May 5, 1978, their parlor opened and enjoyed success during the summer but faced difficulties in the winter.
In 1980, Ben & Jerry's expanded their distribution to restaurants in Vermont and moved to a larger facility. They started packaging their ice cream in pint-sized containers.
In 1984, when Häagen-Dazs attempted to limit Ben & Jerry's distribution in Boston, the company filed a lawsuit against Häagen-Dazs' parent company, Pillsbury, in a campaign known as "What's the Doughboy Afraid Of?" In 1987, Häagen-Dazs made another attempt to enforce exclusive distribution, resulting in Ben & Jerry's filing a second lawsuit against Pillsbury.
In April 2000, Ben & Jerry's was acquired by multinational food company Unilever. Although Greenfield and Cohen remained involved in the company, they stated that they had limited authority and influence.
How Old are Ben And Jerry?
Ben Cohen was born on March 18, 1951, in New York City, New York, U.S.and raised in Merrick, New York. Ben Cohen is 72 years old. He grew up in a Jewish family, with his parents Frances and Irving. In his youth, he attended Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp in Connecticut. In seventh grade, Cohen met Jerry Greenfield, who would later become his business partner. They attended Sanford H. Calhoun High School together.
After working as an ice cream man during his senior year of high school, Cohen enrolled at Colgate University in New York but dropped out after his sophomore year to pursue his passion for pottery.
Jerry Greenfield was born on March 14, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York. Jerry Greenfield is 72 years old and hails from Long Island and comes from a Jewish background, met Ben Cohen during their time at Merrick Avenue Junior High School in 1963. They both attended Calhoun High School and remained friends until they graduated and moved away for college. Greenfield pursued a pre-medical curriculum at Oberlin College and worked as an ice cream scooper in the school's cafeteria
After graduating in 1973, Greenfield's attempts to get into medical school were unsuccessful. He returned to New York and shared an apartment with Cohen, working as a lab technician. Despite facing rejection from medical school again in 1974, he relocated to North Carolina with his future wife, Elizabeth Skarie, and continued working as a lab technician.
Ben and Jerry Net worth
Here is the net worth of Ben and Jerry. You may also explore more interesting details about them here on this topic.
1) Ben
Ben Cohen has a net worth of $100 Million. Ben Cohen explored various jobs, including working at McDonald's, serving as a Pinkerton guard, delivering pottery wheels, and working as a mop-boy and taxi driver. He eventually found work as a craft teacher at a private school for emotionally-disturbed adolescents called Highland Community School.
It was during this time that Cohen began experimenting with making his own ice creams, setting the foundation for his future endeavors with Jerry Greenfield and the creation of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
2) Jerry
Jerry Greenfield has a net worth of $150 Million. In the summer of 1977, Jerry Greenfield joined Cohen in Saratoga Springs, New York, where they contemplated opening a bagel shop but ultimately decided on an ice cream store. They enrolled in a correspondence course on ice cream making and opened their first store in a former gas station in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978.
During the 1980s, Greenfield briefly left the business to support his wife Elizabeth as she pursued a Ph.D. in psychology in Arizona. The couple later returned to Vermont in 1985, where Greenfield assumed the role of Director of Mobile Promotions.
Greenfield married Elizabeth Skarie in 1987, and they had a son named Tyrone in 1988. He currently resides in Williston, a small town near Burlington, Vermont. On April 18, 2016, Greenfield and Cohen were arrested at a Democracy Awakening protest in Washington, D.C.
Ben & Jerry
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings Inc., commonly known as Ben & Jerry's, is an American company specializing in the production of ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. Established in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, it started as a single ice cream parlor and eventually grew into a well-known multinational brand.
In 2000, Ben & Jerry's was acquired by the multinational conglomerate Unilever; however, it continues to operate as an independent subsidiary. The company's headquarters are presently located in South Burlington, Vermont, while its factory is situated in Waterbury, Vermont.
Ben & Jerry's is celebrated for its unique flavors, many of which feature combinations of various foods and desserts mixed with ice cream. These flavors often pay homage to musicians, comedians, and public figures like Jerry Garcia, Stephen Colbert, Colin Kaepernick, and Phish.
Beyond its delicious treats, Ben & Jerry's and its founders have gained recognition for their political activism and commitment to social justice. This extends to the way their products are manufactured, marketed, and distributed.
Are Ben and Jerry Still Alive? - FAQ
Yes, both Ben and Jerry are still alive.
Ben Cohen is an American businessman and social activist best known as the co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, a popular ice cream brand. He is actively involved in championing social causes and supporting progressive initiatives.
The Ben & Jerry's Foundation is an organization associated with Ben & Jerry's ice cream that distributes funds to various social issue-focused organizations.
Jerry Greenfield is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist known for co-founding Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings, Inc., the ice cream company. He played a pivotal role in its establishment and success.
Jerry Greenfield grew up on Long Island and pursued higher education at Oberlin College, where he excelled as a National Merit Scholar. He initially aimed for a medical career but shifted his focus to venture into business with his childhood friend, Ben Cohen.