Current Status of the Ben and Jerry Friendship
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, co-founders of Ben & Jerry's, are not business partners today but have maintained a public friendship. The brand was sold to Unilever in 2000, and the two founders have since pursued separate ventures. Recent interviews and public statements indicate they remain on friendly terms, though they do not collaborate on a daily operational level.
Public records show no active joint business entity between Cohen and Greenfield. Both have given separate interviews confirming mutual respect. Their last major joint public appearance was tied to brand legacy events rather than new business operations.
Business History and Separation Timeline
Ben & Jerry's was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont. The company went public in 1984 and was acquired by Unilever in 2000 for about $326 million per the deal terms reported at the time. After the sale, Cohen focused on social activism and philanthropy, while Greenfield remained involved in the brand's legacy through advisory and promotional roles.
The separation of their business roles has been well documented by financial news outlets. Cohen has spoken about his post-sale focus on community projects, and Greenfield has discussed the brand's evolution under Unilever. Their individual paths have been covered by major business publications.
Post-Sale Ventures
Cohen founded the social justice organization True Majority and later focused on cannabis advocacy and community banking. Greenfield has participated in brand retrospectives and documentary projects about Ben & Jerry's history. Both have maintained separate public profiles while occasionally referencing their shared founding story.
Brand Legacy Under Unilever
Ben & Jerry's continues to operate as a Unilever subsidiary, with the founders no longer holding operational control. The brand remains one of the largest premium ice cream lines globally. Unilever's corporate filings and annual reports do not list Cohen or Greenfield as current executives or board members.
Public Statements and Recent Activity
In recent years, both Cohen and Greenfield have given interviews where they refer to each other as friends and co-founders. They have not announced any new joint business projects. Their public interactions remain limited to brand anniversary events and legacy-focused discussions.
Financial filings and business databases show no active partnership between the two. Their current net worth and business interests are tracked separately by financial news sources. Both continue to be associated with Ben & Jerry's primarily as historical founders rather than active operators.