Les Wexner: Net Worth, Biography, Epstein Controversy

Few names in American retail carry as much weight—and as much controversy—as Les Wexner. The man who built Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works from a single women’s clothing store now finds his legacy tangled with one of the most notorious scandals of the century. Here’s what’s known about the billionaire founder, his net worth, his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, and his political donations.

Net worth: $2.3 billion (2025) ·
Born: September 8, 1937 ·
Spouse: Abigail Wexner ·
Children: 4 ·
Political party: Republican ·
Founded: L Brands (1963)

Nine key facts about Wexner, one pattern: a retail titan whose empire and personal reputation became inextricably linked to a convicted sex offender.

Here are the basic facts about Les Wexner:

How does Les Wexner make his money?

What companies did Les Wexner found?

• Wexner founded The Limited in Columbus, Ohio, in 1963. The store’s first-year sales reached $160,000, according to the Wexner Foundation (official foundation bio).
• He later created the L Brands holding company, which became the parent of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. Victoria’s Secret was purchased by Wexner’s company in the early 1980s (Academy of Achievement – biographical organization).
• Bath & Body Works launched in 1990 and grew into a global personal-care chain (EBSCO Research Starters – academic reference database).

The implication: Wexner’s retail genius made him a billionaire, but that same knack for centralized control left him vulnerable to a single catastrophic relationship.

What is Les Wexner’s net worth?

Forbes pegged Wexner’s fortune at roughly $2.3 billion in 2025, though a Forbes profile from February 2026 noted it had briefly reached about $9 billion before the Epstein revelations rocked his holdings (Forbes – business finance authority). Much of his wealth came from his controlling stake in L Brands, which he sold to Sycamore Partners in 2022. For perspective, other billionaires like Bill Gates have also faced public scrutiny over personal associations, though the scale of Wexner’s entanglement with Epstein is uniquely damaging.

How did Les Wexner start his career?

Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1937 to Jewish parents who owned a clothing store, Wexner studied business at Ohio State University before opening his first shop in a Columbus strip mall. The idea — selling women’s apparel in smaller, curated batches — proved immediately profitable (Wikipedia – neutral biographical overview).

What is Les Wexner doing now?

Is Les Wexner still involved with L Brands?

Wexner stepped down as chair and CEO of L Brands in February 2020 and later became chair emeritus (EBSCO Research Starters – academic reference database). After the sale to Sycamore Partners, he holds no operating role but remains a significant shareholder.

What was Les Wexner’s testimony about Epstein?

In February 2026, Wexner submitted to a congressional deposition in Ohio under subpoena from the U.S. House Oversight Committee (AP News – major wire service). According to PBS NewsHour (public broadcaster with direct access), Wexner told lawmakers he had been “tricked by a world-class con artist” and sought to “clarify the facts” of his long association with Jeffrey Epstein. His name appears more than 1,000 times in the Epstein documents, PBS reported.

What is Les Wexner’s current role?

Wexner now focuses on philanthropy through the Wexner Foundation (official foundation bio), which supports Jewish community leadership in North America and public-service programs in Israel. He has also faced renewed legal scrutiny over his handling of Epstein’s access to his finances and properties.

“I was naive, foolish, and gullible to trust Jeffrey Epstein.”

— Les Wexner, quoted by AP News (major wire service)

The catch: Wexner has never faced criminal charges related to Epstein, yet the public and congressional demands for accountability show no sign of fading.

What is Les Wexner’s political affiliation?

Is Les Wexner a Democrat or Republican?

Wexner has long been registered as a Republican and has donated to both major parties at various levels, but his most consistent giving aligns with conservative candidates and causes (Wikipedia – neutral biographical overview).

Does Les Wexner support Donald Trump?

Wexner contributed significantly to Donald Trump’s campaign. In 2016 he donated $1 million to a Trump super PAC and hosted fundraisers for the candidate (AP News – major wire service). Yet his donation history also includes support for Democratic figures, such as contributions to Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.

What political donations has Les Wexner made?

Federal records show Wexner has given millions to Republican Party committees, super PACs, and individual candidates over the past two decades. A notable outlier: donations to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and some moderate Democrats (WOSU – Ohio public radio affiliate).

The pattern: Wexner’s political strategy mirrored his business approach — diversified, centrist, and aimed at influence across the aisle.

Does Les Wexner support Donald Trump?

How much did Les Wexner donate to Trump?

In the 2016 cycle, Wexner gave $1 million to the pro-Trump super PAC Rebuilding America Now, according to AP News (major wire service). He also contributed to Trump’s joint fundraising committee and hosted a fundraiser at his Ohio estate.

Did Les Wexner endorse Trump publicly?

Wexner did not issue a formal endorsement, but his financial support and hosting of events made his preference known. He also donated to some Democratic candidates, maintaining a degree of political flexibility (WOSU – Ohio public radio affiliate).

What is Les Wexner’s personal life like?

Who is Les Wexner’s wife?

Wexner married Abigail Wexner (née Krakowsky) in 1993. She is a lawyer and president of the Wexner Foundation (Wikipedia – neutral biographical overview).

How many children does Les Wexner have?

He has four children with Abigail: two daughters and two sons.

What is Les Wexner’s religion?

Wexner is Jewish, a fact that shapes his philanthropic focus through the Wexner Foundation (Wexner Foundation – official foundation bio).

Where does Les Wexner live?

He resides in Columbus, Ohio, in a large estate known as “New Albany,” which was also the site of some Epstein visits.

Why this matters: Wexner’s personal life — a stable marriage, close ties to Ohio, and philanthropic commitments — stands in sharp contrast to the chaotic allegations surrounding his business and political dealings.

Timeline of Les Wexner’s life and career

The following timeline outlines key events in Wexner’s life and career:

What this means: The timeline reveals a classic arc — meteoric success, a fateful alliance, and a slow-motion reckoning that culminated in a congressional deposition nearly 20 years after Wexner says he ended the relationship.

“I seek to clarify the facts regarding my association with Jeffrey Epstein.”

— Les Wexner, PBS NewsHour (public broadcaster with direct access)

The timeline reveals a classic arc: meteoric success, a fateful alliance, and a slow-motion reckoning that culminated in a congressional deposition nearly 20 years after Wexner says he ended the relationship.

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