How Old Are Ben And Jerry

Have you ever stood in the freezer aisle, spoon in hand, and wondered: How old are Ben and Jerry? It’s a silly question, right? But it’s the kind of delightful, pointless curiosity that makes life a little more fun.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are real people, not cartoon characters from a late-night ice cream dream. They were born in 1951, which means they’re both in their early 70s today. Yes, really—the guys with the psychedelic cow are both septuagenarians who still sport bushy beards and a permanent twinkle in their eyes.

The Buddy Origin Story

They met in a seventh-grade gym class, bonding over their mutual hatred of running laps. Their shared love of food? That came naturally. After high school, they took a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making from Penn State (yes, that’s a real thing).

In 1978, they opened their first scoop shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont. They were 27 years old at the time—just a couple of broke, idealistic buddies with a batch freezer and a dream. And that, dear reader, is the real answer to “how old are they?”: young enough to take risks, old enough to know better.

Why This Number Actually Matters

Here’s the uplifting part: Ben and Jerry didn’t “make it” in their twenties like some tech mogul. They started their business in their late twenties, but their biggest success—global brand fame—came in their thirties and forties. They sold the company in 2000 at the age of 50. And now, in their 70s, they’re still advocating for social justice and flavor innovation.

The Ben and Jerry's Story - YouTube

So what does this tell us? That age is just a number, but more importantly, that the spirit of playfulness doesn’t have an expiration date. You can be a gray-haired visionary who still names flavors after jam bands and writes cheeky bios about “hanging out in the Vermont woods.”

Let’s be real: if two guys in their 70s can still make people smile with a pint of Half Baked, then maybe we’re all overthinking our own timelines. You don’t need to have everything figured out by 25—or 35, or 45. Ben and Jerry prove that the best ideas often simmer for years before they become a household name.

Ben & Jerry’s founders warn 'we won't be silent' in new demand to

The Fun Part: What If You’re Wrong?

Here’s a rhetorical aside for you: Did you assume Ben and Jerry were young hipsters in their twenties? Me too. But that’s the beauty of this discovery. We assume success belongs to the young, but these guys show that youth is a mindset, not a birth year. They still wear tie-dye, laugh at puns, and donate millions to causes like climate justice. That’s the definition of timeless cool.

So next time you’re feeling “too old” to start something new, remember: Ben and Jerry were older than you think when they became a phenomenon. They’re proof that you can be 72, still make goofy faces on a pint, and still change the world one scoop at a time.

Ben & Jerry’s Pint Evolution | Ben & Jerry’s

The Uplifting Note

Here’s the inspiring takeaway for your own life: Curiosity about silly things—like the exact ages of two ice cream moguls—can actually spark motivation. It reminds us that life doesn’t have to be a race. You can launch a dream in your 40s. You can giggle about flavor names in your 70s. You can always, always rediscover your inner kid.

So go ahead, grab a spoon and a pint of Phish Food. Research Ben and Jerry’s ages, their wild journey, or their next social campaign. Let their story remind you that the best time to start is whenever you’re feeling bold enough. And if you ever doubt yourself, just ask: What would a 72-year-old with a cow hoodie do? Probably laugh, take a bite, and get to work.

Now, go make something delicious happen—whether it’s in your kitchen, your career, or just your heart. Ben and Jerry would totally approve.