Jerry Greenfield Biography
Jerry Greenfield is a renowned American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and ice cream innovator best known as the co-founder of the iconic ice cream company Ben & Jerry's. His journey from a pre-med student to a trailblazing businessman is marked by creativity, social consciousness, and an enduring partnership that reshaped the ice cream industry.
Birth
Jerry Greenfield was born on March 14, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in a working-class neighborhood, he developed early values of hard work and education which shaped his future ambitions. His formative years were spent on Long Island, where he attended school and eventually met his lifelong business partner, Ben Cohen.
Family
Greenfield grew up in a Jewish family on Long Island and maintained close ties to his roots throughout his life. During his early adulthood, he married Elizabeth Skarie, who pursued a doctoral degree in psychology. They supported each other’s careers, with Greenfield at one point relocating to Arizona to accommodate her education before returning to Vermont to focus on the business. Together, they have a child, and family support played an integral role in his professional journey.
Professional Career
Jerry Greenfield's professional career took an unexpected turn after he unsuccessfully sought admission to medical school following his graduation from Oberlin College, where he had studied pre-med. Instead of medicine, Greenfield turned to entrepreneurship along with his friend Ben Cohen. After enrolling in a $5 correspondence course on ice cream making from Penn State, the duo opened their first ice cream scoop shop in a converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978.
Ben & Jerry's quickly became known for its innovative flavors, community engagement, and social activism. Greenfield managed the production of ice cream and later became director of mobile promotions, traveling nationally in their branded "Cowmobile." The company grew exponentially, opening franchises and gaining acclaim as one of America’s most beloved ice cream brands. Their commitment to social responsibility earned them recognition including the U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year award in 1988, and their business model influenced many aspiring entrepreneurs.
In 2000, Ben & Jerry's was acquired by the multinational corporation Unilever, but Greenfield remained active as a philanthropist and advocate for progressive social change through the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, which he co-founded in 1995 to support community and social justice causes.
Net Worth
Jerry Greenfield has amassed significant wealth through his business ventures, with his current estimated net worth around $150 million. This fortune stems largely from the success and global reach of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, which now earns hundreds of millions in annual revenue. Despite the company's sale to Unilever, Greenfield continues to receive financial benefits while dedicating much of his time to activism and charitable efforts.
Jerry Greenfield Summary
Jerry Greenfield's biography is a compelling story of innovation, friendship, and social responsibility. From a small-town upbringing to co-founding one of the most iconic ice cream brands in the world, Greenfield's life exemplifies how passion and purpose can intersect with business success. His legacy is not only in the delicious and quirky ice cream flavors but also in promoting corporate values linked to social justice and community support.