5 Shocking Facts About Ben And Jerry's Founders In 2025: From Ice Cream Moguls To Political Rebels

Jan 10, 2026 • minute read

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The story of Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield is not just about chunky ice cream flavors and a successful business; it's a decades-long saga of counter-culture capitalism, social justice advocacy, and, most recently, a very public clash with their corporate parent, Unilever. As of December 2025, the founders remain two of the most influential and outspoken figures in corporate America, even though their direct involvement with the day-to-day operations of the ice cream empire they built has significantly changed.

The year 2025 has brought fresh headlines, revealing a painful rift between the founders and the brand's current ownership over its core social mission. From multi-million dollar net worths to bold political statements on global conflicts, Ben and Jerry are proving that even after selling the company, their voices—and their activism—are louder than ever, solidifying their legacy as pioneers of values-led business.

The Men Behind the Mix: Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield Biography

The co-founders of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings, Inc. share a friendship that dates back to their childhood in Merrick, Long Island, New York. Their partnership is built on a shared passion for food and a commitment to social change, a concept they baked directly into their business model.

Ben Cohen (Bennett Cohen)

Born: March 18, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York.
Role: Co-Founder, Chairman of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation.
Education: Attended several colleges, including Skidmore College and the New College of Sarasota, but did not complete a degree.
Early Career: Worked as a taxi driver, pottery wheel instructor, security guard, and hospital orderly.
Signature Contribution: Known for his impaired sense of smell (anosmia), which led to his focus on "mouthfeel"—the reason Ben & Jerry's ice cream is famous for having large, chunky ingredients.
Current Status (2025): Estimated net worth of $150 million. Continues his activism through various political and social campaigns, often critical of corporate and government policy.

Jerry Greenfield (Jerry Greenfield)

Born: March 14, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York.
Role: Co-Founder, Activist, and Philanthropist.
Education: Graduated from Oberlin College with a pre-med curriculum.
Early Career: Worked as a lab technician and a potter. He was initially the more skilled ice cream maker, having completed a $5 correspondence course in ice-cream making from Penn State.
Signature Contribution: The "Jerry" in the name, who provided the initial culinary skill and the meticulous attention to flavor quality.
Current Status (2025): Estimated net worth of $150 million. Recently made the "painful" decision to split away from the brand's advisory board due to concerns over the company's independence on social issues.

The Radical Roots: From Gas Station to Global Giant

The Ben & Jerry's story is a classic American entrepreneurial tale with a Vermont twist. The two friends pooled their resources—a total investment of $12,000, with $4,000 of it borrowed—to open their first scoop shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978.

Their initial goal was simple: to have fun and make high-quality, all-natural ice cream. They quickly gained a following not just for their rich, unusual flavors, but for their commitment to a revolutionary business model known as the "Three-Part Mission": a Product Mission, an Economic Mission, and a Social Mission.

The Social Mission was the true differentiator, mandating that the company "operate the company in a way that actively recognizes the central role that business plays in society by initiating innovative ways to improve the quality of life locally, nationally, and internationally." This commitment led to pioneering initiatives in Fair Trade sourcing, environmental sustainability, and progressive hiring practices.

The company grew into a multinational phenomenon, but the biggest turning point came in 2000 when the founders sold the company to the consumer goods titan, Unilever, for a reported $326 million. The sale included a unique governance structure designed to protect the Social Mission, led by an independent Board of Directors. This structure, however, has been the source of significant tension in recent years.

The 2025 Controversy: The Founders vs. Unilever

Despite selling the company over two decades ago, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield remain the moral compass of the brand, and their 2025 activities highlight a significant and ongoing battle for the soul of the company. The core conflict centers on the autonomy of the independent board to uphold the Social Mission against the commercial interests of Unilever.

1. Jerry Greenfield's "Painful" Split

In late 2025, Jerry Greenfield announced he was splitting away from the brand's advisory board, citing a loss of independence on social issues. This highly publicized move underscored his belief that the governance structure put in place to protect the brand's values was being undermined by the corporate parent. Greenfield's departure is a powerful statement about the challenges of maintaining a progressive, activist corporate identity within a massive multinational structure.

2. The Blocked "Peace in Palestine" Flavor

In a bold move that made international headlines, Ben Cohen claimed in late 2025 that the new owners of Ben & Jerry's (Unilever) had shut down the development of a new flavor intended to call for peace in Palestine. Cohen accused Unilever of a "corporate attack on free speech" and of blocking the brand from taking a values-based position on a global conflict. This incident is a stark example of the founders' continued activism and their willingness to publicly challenge their former company's owner.

3. The Perpetual Activism and Philanthropy

Even outside the boardroom, Ben and Jerry are relentless activists. Their personal efforts, often in conjunction with the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, focus on a range of progressive causes, including racial justice, climate action, immigrant rights, and LGBTQ+ dignity. Cohen, in particular, has been a vocal proponent of campaign finance reform and has used his significant platform to advocate for political change, demonstrating that his commitment to social issues far transcends the ice cream business.

Ben and Jerry's Enduring Legacy and Topical Authority

The founders' impact extends far beyond the realm of frozen desserts. They are considered pioneers of the modern Socially Responsible Business (SRB) movement. Their model proved that a company could be both profitable and deeply committed to social change, inspiring countless other entrepreneurs and B Corps (Benefit Corporations).

The ongoing legal and public disputes with Unilever, while challenging, serve to reinforce the original vision of the founders. They are fighting to protect the integrity of the Three-Part Mission, ensuring that the brand continues to use its commercial success as a vehicle for progressive change.

Key entities and concepts that define their legacy and topical authority include: Unilever, Social Mission, Three-Part Mission, Fair Trade, Living Wage, Climate Action, Racial Justice, Ben & Jerry's Foundation, Burlington, Vermont, Penn State Correspondence Course, Chunkiness (due to Cohen's anosmia), Oberlin College, Merrick, Long Island, Values-Led Business, Corporate Governance, Activism, Phish Food, Chunky Monkey, Change is Brewing (a recent campaign), Regenerative Agriculture, and the Independent Board. The founders' continuous public engagement ensures that the brand remains tied to its activist roots, making their personal lives and political stances as relevant as their iconic ice cream flavors.

5 Shocking Facts About Ben and Jerry's Founders in 2025: From Ice Cream Moguls to Political Rebels

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