Jerry Greenfield: From Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder to Multi-Millionaire Entrepreneur
Jerry Greenfield entered the world on March 14, 1951, in Williston, Vermont, USA. His remarkable career as a businessman and philanthropist is highlighted by his role as co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Holdings, Inc., which operates approximately 200 franchised locations nationwide. These ventures significantly contributed to his impressive financial standing.
As of late 2016, Jerry’s net worth was estimated at $150 million, primarily stemming from his dynamic business endeavors. The iconic ice cream brand generates over $230 million annually and now falls under the umbrella of Unilever, a global consumer goods leader.
His educational path began at Merrick Avenue Junior High, where he connected with future partner Ben Cohen. Both attended Calhoun High School before diverging in college—Jerry enrolled at Oberlin College in 1969, where he balanced academics with part-time work as a cafeteria ice cream scooper.
After earning his degree in 1973, Greenfield pursued medicine twice without success, leading him to New York as a lab technician while living with Cohen. In 1974, he briefly attempted medical school again before relocating to North Carolina, ultimately returning to New York two years later. Together, they launched a bagel shop, later pivoting to ice cream due to affordable equipment costs. They completed a correspondence course in ice cream production and established their first store near a college community.
The duo eventually settled in Burlington, Vermont, converting an old gas station into their shop in 1978 with a $4,000 loan. Despite seasonal challenges, their venture flourished, prompting distribution deals across restaurants and expanded production capabilities by 1980.
Greenfield temporarily stepped away to support his future spouse in Arizona before rejoining the company in 1985. Their rivalry with industry giants like Haagen-Dazs and Pillsbury—culminating in legal disputes over production limits—further solidified their market presence.
In 2000, Unilever acquired the company, though Jerry retained a symbolic role within the organization. On a personal note, Jerry married Elizabeth Skarie in 1987 and they share a son. Residing in Burlington, Vermont, he remains active socially, having been arrested during a Democracy Awakening protest in Washington DC. Adding a quirky twist, Greenfield claims expertise in eating fire—a skill he occasionally demonstrates.
For further insights into comparable success stories, see related profiles such as Charles Saatchi and Mikey Teutul.
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May 8, 2026
Prepared by Daniel Wanburg
