Leslie Herbert Wexner, the 88-year-old founder of the retail empire behind Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, has seen his fortune surge to between $8.8 billion and $11.4 billion in mid-2026. Yet his legacy remains deeply intertwined with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, a relationship that has drawn congressional scrutiny and public condemnation.
Born in 1937 to Russian immigrant parents who ran a small shop in Columbus, Ohio, Wexner built a single womenswear store into a global conglomerate. His journey from a modest family business to the helm of L Brands, a company that once generated over $13 billion in annual sales, is a classic American retail story — overshadowed by a scandal that continues to unfold.
In February 2026, Wexner testified before Congress, stating that Epstein had stolen “vast sums” from him and that he had been “naive” in trusting the financier. The testimony marked a new chapter in a controversy that cost Wexner his role as chairman in 2020 and raised questions about how much he knew of Epstein’s crimes.
Who Is Les Wexner? Age, Wife, Children, and Family Background
Leslie Herbert Wexner
September 8, 1937 (age 88 as of mid-2026)
~$8.8B–$11.4B (Bloomberg, Forbes, 2026)
Founder of L Brands (Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works); association with Jeffrey Epstein
Key Insights
- Wexner built a retail empire from a single store in 1963 to controlling Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works.
- He has been a major political donor and Ohio State University benefactor, funding the Wexner Medical Center.
- His decades-long association with Jeffrey Epstein has led to intense scrutiny, especially after Epstein’s 2019 arrest.
- In February 2026, Wexner testified before Congress, claiming Epstein stole “vast sums” from him and that he was “naive.”
- Despite stepping down as CEO in 2020, Wexner remains chair emeritus of L Brands and retains significant wealth.
Snapshot Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Born September 8, 1937 (88 years old as of 2026) |
| Spouse | Abigail Wexner (married 1993) |
| Children | 4 — Sarah, Hannah, David, and Harry |
| Companies Founded | L Brands (formerly The Limited, Inc.) — includes Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, PINK, and others |
| Net Worth (2026) | $8.8B–$11.4B (Bloomberg, Forbes) |
| Deposition/Testimony | Testified before Congress in Feb 2026 regarding Epstein relationship |
Wexner was born in Dayton, Ohio, to Russian immigrant parents who ran a small shop in downtown Columbus. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1959 and served in the Air National Guard before opening his first Limited store in 1963, which generated $160,000 in its first year. He married Abigail S. Koppel, a New York attorney, in 1993, and the couple has four children: Sarah, Hannah, David, and Harry.
What Companies Did Les Wexner Build? Net Worth and Business Empire
Wexner’s retail career began with a single store called The Limited in Columbus, Ohio, in 1963. From that modest start, he built L Brands (originally Limited Brands), a conglomerate that by 2019 was generating over $13 billion in annual sales. The empire included some of the most recognizable names in American retail: Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, La Senza, Henri Bendel, and Pink.
Corporate Evolution
In 2021, L Brands spun off Victoria’s Secret into a separate publicly traded company and renamed itself Bath & Body Works. The latter reported $7.4 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ending February 3, 2024. Wexner vacated his position as chairman of L Brands in 2020 at age 82 but still holds the title of chairman emeritus.
Net Worth Surge
Wexner’s net worth has fluctuated significantly. In 2019, it was estimated at around $4.5 billion, rising to $6 billion in 2020. By 2024, it stood at roughly $6 billion. A surge in 2025 pushed it to approximately $10 billion, driven by savvy technology investments including a stake in the cloud-computing firm Coreweave. By mid-2026, Bloomberg estimated his fortune at $11.4 billion, while Forbes listed it at $9 billion. The rapid increase — from $7.9 billion to $10.1 billion in just three months according to Forbes — was partly attributed to assets held in the names of his wife Abigail and their children.
Despite stepping down as chairman in 2020 amid the Epstein controversy, Wexner’s net worth more than doubled over the following five years, largely due to technology investments that outperformed his retail holdings.
Properties and Assets
Wexner lives on a 340-acre estate in New Albany, Ohio. He also purchased the historic Foxcote House in Warwickshire, England, in 1997, and at one time owned one of the largest private yachts in the world, designed by Jon Bannenberg. An avid art collector, he serves as a trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Columbus Art Museum in Ohio.
What Was Les Wexner’s Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein? Deposition and Congressional Testimony
The most controversial chapter of Wexner’s life involves his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The two met in the 1980s, and from 1987 to 2007, Epstein served as Wexner’s financial manager, wielding significant control over his finances — including power of attorney. According to Wikipedia, Epstein earned a substantial fraction of his wealth through his services to Wexner.
Cutting Ties
Wexner severed ties with Epstein in 2007, shortly before Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution in Florida. Wexner later stated that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities while the financier was managing his money.
Congressional Testimony
In February 2026, Wexner testified before Congress, admitting he had been “naive” and accusing Epstein of stealing “vast sums” from him. The testimony, covered by BBC News, was Wexner’s most detailed public account of the relationship. He claimed that Epstein had abused his trust and that he had no knowledge of the financier’s crimes.
The exact amount Epstein allegedly stole from Wexner has not been independently verified. No public audit has confirmed the “vast sums” Wexner cited, and the full extent of what Wexner knew about Epstein’s activities during their two-decade relationship remains under investigation.
Fallout and Legacy
The controversy led to Wexner’s resignation as chairman of L Brands in 2020 and contributed to the sale of his stake in Victoria’s Secret’s parent company. While he has not been charged with any crime, the association has damaged his reputation. EBSCO’s biographical research notes that Wexner remains a significant figure in American retail, though his legacy is complicated by the Epstein connection.
Wexner’s deposition to Congress gave Epstein’s victims and the public a rare inside look at how the financier operated. Wexner described being deceived by someone he trusted completely, but questions persist about whether he should have detected the abuse of power sooner.
Key Events in Les Wexner’s Life and Career
- 1937 — Born in Dayton, Ohio, to Russian immigrant parents.
- 1959 — Graduates from Ohio State University.
- 1963 — Opens the first Limited store in Columbus, Ohio.
- 1982 — Acquires Victoria’s Secret, then a small chain of stores.
- 1980s — Meets Jeffrey Epstein; Epstein becomes his financial adviser and trustee.
- 1990 — Launches Bath & Body Works.
- 2007 — Cuts ties with Epstein, who is convicted in 2008 for soliciting a minor.
- 2019 — Epstein arrested on federal charges; Wexner faces renewed scrutiny.
- 2020 — Steps down as CEO and chairman of L Brands.
- 2021 — L Brands spins off Victoria’s Secret and is renamed Bath & Body Works.
- 2025–2026 — Net worth surges to between $8.8B and $11.4B.
- February 2026 — Testifies before Congress, calling himself “naive” and accusing Epstein of theft.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Wexner’s Epstein Ties?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Wexner retained Epstein as his financial manager from 1987 to 2007 and granted him power of attorney. | The exact amount Epstein stole from Wexner is not independently verified; Wexner claims “vast sums” but no public audit exists. |
| Wexner cut ties with Epstein in 2007, shortly before Epstein’s 2008 conviction. | The full extent of Wexner’s knowledge of Epstein’s crimes while Epstein was his adviser remains under investigation. |
| Wexner testified before Congress in February 2026, stating he was “naive” and that Epstein stole from him. | Specific dollar amounts and the full timeline of Epstein’s access to Wexner’s finances have not been publicly released. |
How Did Les Wexner’s Business Empire Shape His Legacy?
Wexner’s career is a classic American retail success story. He transformed a single store into a $13 billion conglomerate that defined shopping malls for decades. Victoria’s Secret became a cultural phenomenon, and Bath & Body Works remains a dominant force in personal care. His philanthropy, including the Wexner Foundation supporting educational and cultural initiatives in Ohio and the Jewish community, has left a lasting mark.
Yet the Epstein scandal has fundamentally altered how his legacy is viewed. The 2026 congressional testimony was an attempt to publicly distance himself from the financier, but it also exposed the depth of the relationship. Wexner has not been charged with any crime, and his testimony may help clarify his role, but for many, the association alone has tarnished his achievements.
For readers interested in other business magnates who built iconic brands, see our profile on Martha Stewart – Biography, Net Worth and Key Life Facts. Similarly, the story of another billionaire designer and founder is covered in Jony Ive – Biography, iPhone Designs, and OpenAI Merger.
What Do Official Sources Say About Les Wexner?
“I was naive. I put my trust in the wrong person. He stole vast sums of money from me.”
— Les Wexner, testifying before Congress, February 2026 (cited by BBC News)
“Les Wexner founded L Brands, a global retail empire that included Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, and served as CEO for more than 50 years.”
— Forbes profile
“Leslie Herbert Wexner (born September 8, 1937) is an American billionaire businessman and political activist.”
— Wikipedia
What Is the Bottom Line on Les Wexner’s Legacy?
Les Wexner remains one of the most consequential figures in American retail, having built brands that defined consumer culture for decades. His net worth, which has surged to as high as $11.4 billion in 2026, reflects the enduring value of the companies he founded. Yet his legacy is inextricably linked to Jeffrey Epstein, and the full story of what Wexner knew and when may not be settled until more documents and testimony are made public. For now, he is a billionaire who built an empire, lost control of it amid scandal, and is now attempting to reclaim his narrative through congressional testimony and private investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Les Wexner
What is Les Wexner’s age?
Les Wexner was born on September 8, 1937, making him 88 years old as of mid-2026.
Who is Les Wexner’s wife?
He is married to Abigail Wexner (née Koppel), a former New York attorney. They wed in 1993.
Does Les Wexner have children?
Yes, he has four children with his wife Abigail: Sarah, Hannah, David, and Harry.
What companies did Les Wexner own?
He founded L Brands, which owned Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, PINK, Abercrombie & Fitch, La Senza, and Henri Bendel, among others.
Where does Les Wexner live?
He primarily resides on a 340-acre estate in New Albany, Ohio. He also owns Foxcote House in Warwickshire, England.
What is the Les Wexner deposition about?
It relates to his testimony before Congress in February 2026 regarding his financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Is Les Wexner still alive?
Yes, as of 2026 he is alive and testified before Congress in February 2026.
What is Les Wexner’s current role at L Brands?
He is chairman emeritus of Bath & Body Works (formerly L Brands) after stepping down as CEO in 2020.
How did Epstein steal from Les Wexner?
Wexner testified that Epstein used his position as financial manager and power of attorney to divert “vast sums” of money, though the exact amount has not been independently verified.
Was Les Wexner involved in Epstein’s crimes?
Wexner has not been charged with any crime. He testified that he was unaware of Epstein’s activities and that he was deceived by the financier.
Victoria Winslow is Editor-in-Chief at ShowbizUK.co.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, editorial standards, publication decisions, source review and content quality across the publication.