Ben Cohen: Ice Cream Co-Founder’s Life of Activism

Few names in American activism and entrepreneurship carry as much weight as Ben Cohen. The co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream has spent decades using his platform to push for social justice, environmental change, and political reform. With a career that spans ice cream empires, political campaigns, and even cannabis ventures, Cohen’s life is a story of partnership, protest, and playbook-defying moves.

Born: 18 March 1951 ·
Co-founded Ben & Jerry’s: 1978 ·
Arrested multiple times: Yes ·
Political role: National co-chair for Bernie Sanders 2020

Seven key facts, one pattern: a life built on partnerships — with Jerry Greenfield, with progressive causes, and with a willingness to risk arrest for his principles.

These details frame the public persona of a man who consistently chooses advocacy over anonymity.

The consistency across these attributes confirms a subject who has kept his private ledger closed while making his public commitments clear.

Who did Ben Cohen leave his wife for?

Based on available sourcing, Ben Cohen’s personal relationships are not publicly documented. The co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s has focused his public life on activism and business rather than personal revelations. No credible reports mention a marital split linked to a third party.

Public life over private affairs

• Cohen’s public biography emphasizes his business and activism, not romantic relationships (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
• Mainstream profiles do not discuss a spouse or divorce.

The implication: Cohen’s personal life remains deliberately out of the spotlight. What matters for his story is not who he left but what he built.

How many times has Ben Cohen been married?

No reliable source confirms any marriage for Ben Cohen. Research notes from the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center and InfluenceWatch focus on his career and activism, omitting marital records.

Absence of public records

• InfluenceWatch profiles list no spouse or marriage dates (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).
• Cohen’s own books and interviews avoid family details.

The pattern: Cohen’s marital history is either private or nonexistent in available sources.

What’s Ben Cohen doing now?

Cohen remains active in political activism, business, and writing. In April 2023 he launched Ben’s Best Blnz (B3), a cannabis company (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)). He served as a national co-chair for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).

Activism and arrests

• Arrested multiple times during protests, including in 2023 while protesting the arrest of Julian Assange (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).
• Signed a 2024 letter denouncing AIPAC’s advocacy efforts in the United States (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).
• Founded the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation to support social justice groups (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).

Why this matters: Cohen is not content with retirement; he uses his wealth and name to amplify progressive causes, even at the cost of personal freedom.

Who is Ben Cohen in a relationship with?

No credible sources document a current romantic relationship for Ben Cohen. His public presence is dominated by partnerships in business and activism, not personal ones.

Partnerships that define him

• Lifelong friendship with Jerry Greenfield (Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center (human rights profile)).
• Political alliance with Bernie Sanders (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).
• Collaborations with organizations like CODEPINK and People’s Power Initiative (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).

The trade-off: Cohen has channeled his relationship energy into coalitions that advance his values rather than into a public family life.

Why did Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff split?

This question refers to a different Ben Cohen — the English rugby player, not the Ben & Jerry’s co-founder. For the businessman Ben Cohen, there is no record of a relationship with Kristina Rihanoff. The two individuals share a name but have separate biographies.

Distinguishing the two

• Ben Cohen (businessman) was born in 1951 in New York City and co-founded Ben & Jerry’s (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
• Ben Cohen (rugby player) was born in 1978 in Northampton, England, and won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The catch: without context, “Ben Cohen” can refer to two very different public figures. This article covers the ice cream co-founder, not the athlete.

Timeline

• 1951 — Born in New York City (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
• 1977/1978 — First Ben & Jerry’s shop opens in Burlington, Vermont (Jewish Currents (progressive Jewish journal)).
• 2000s — Activism grows; supports anti-war and social justice causes.
• 2016 — Supports Bernie Sanders’ first presidential campaign (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).
• 2020 — National co-chair for Sanders’ 2020 campaign (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).
• 2021 — Ben & Jerry’s halts sales in the West Bank (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).
• 2023 — Launches cannabis company Ben’s Best Blnz (B3) (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).
• 2023 — Arrested at Julian Assange protest (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).
• 2024 — Signs letter denouncing AIPAC (InfluenceWatch (political research organization)).

What this means: Cohen’s timeline shows a clear arc from entrepreneur to activist, with each decade amplifying his political voice.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

“Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield grew up together in New York City and are described as childhood friends/lifelong friends.”

— Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center (human rights profile)

“Cohen supported Ben & Jerry’s decision to halt sales in the West Bank in 2021.”

— InfluenceWatch (political research organization)

“Cohen signed a 2024 letter denouncing AIPAC’s advocacy efforts in the United States.”

— InfluenceWatch (political research organization)

“Ben Cohen called on Ben & Jerry’s owner, The Magnum Ice Cream Co., to sell the brand.”

— Washington Post video (Facebook)

For American consumers and activists, the choice is clear: Ben Cohen represents a model of values-aligned business and protest. Supporting his causes means embracing a brand that puts politics before profits — or, as Cohen might say, profits with principles.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Al Weaver: Career, Life, and Current Projects in 2025
• Jilly Cooper: Books, Family, and Legacy