Ben Cohen, the outspoken co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, made headlines as soon as once more—not for ice cream, however for his activism. During a current Senate listening to, Cohen was arrested whereas protesting U.S. coverage in Gaza, underscoring his long-standing dedication to progressive causes.
From founding a socially acutely aware dessert empire to championing political reform, right here’s what to know in regards to the man behind the pint.
Who Is Ben Cohen?
Cohen is an American businessman, activist, and philanthropist, greatest often called the co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc., the long-lasting ice cream firm. Born on March 18, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, Cohen grew up in Merrick, Long Island. He met his future enterprise accomplice, Jerry Greenfield, in a junior highschool fitness center class in 1963. In 1978, the duo opened their first ice cream parlor in a renovated gasoline station in Burlington, Vermont, after finishing a correspondence course on ice cream making. Their firm turned famend not just for its creative flavors but in addition for its dedication to social and environmental causes.
What Is Ben Cohen’s Net Worth?
Cohen’s estimated web price is roughly $150 million, in accordance with Celebrity Net Worth. His wealth primarily stems from his position in co-founding Ben & Jerry’s, which was offered to Unilever in 2000 for $326 million. Despite stepping down as CEO in 1996, Cohen has remained lively in varied social and political causes.
Why Was Ben Cohen Arrested at a Senate Hearing in 2025?
On May 14, 2025, Cohen was arrested throughout a protest at a U.S. Senate listening to the place Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying. Cohen disrupted the session by standing up and accusing Congress of prioritizing army spending over healthcare, particularly stating that Congress was “killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs and paying for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the U.S.” Despite warnings from Capitol Police, Cohen and different protesters continued their demonstration, resulting in their removing and arrest. Cohen was charged with a misdemeanor offense of crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, which carries a possible penalty of a $500 high-quality or as much as 90 days in jail.