Les Wexner – Net Worth, Biography, and the Epstein Scandal

Les Wexner built one of the most successful retail empires in American history, transforming a single clothing store into a global conglomerate that included Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. But his legacy is now permanently tied to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, a connection that has drawn intense scrutiny from lawmakers, journalists, and the public. In 2026, at 88 years old, Wexner sat before lawmakers and described himself as “naive” about his former financial manager, a statement that has done little to quell the questions surrounding their decades-long relationship.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, to Russian immigrant parents who ran a small clothing shop, Wexner took the lessons of small retail and multiplied them into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. Along the way, he became a major philanthropist, a political activist, and one of the wealthiest people in the United States. This profile examines his personal background, his business career, his net worth, and the Epstein controversy that continues to shadow his reputation.

How old is Les Wexner? (Personal & Family)

• Les Wexner is one of the most influential figures in American retail, having built a global empire from a single store in 1963.
• His legacy is now deeply intertwined with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, with his 2026 testimony to lawmakers a major news event.
• Wexner’s net worth, estimated at $11.5 billion (Bloomberg), places him among the richest individuals in the US, but is subject to change based on market conditions.
• His wife, Abigail Wexner, is a prominent figure in her own right, holding significant influence in philanthropy and the arts.

Who is Les Wexner’s wife?

He is married to Abigail Wexner, whom he met at Ohio State University. They wed in 1993 and have four children together. Abigail is a noted philanthropist, particularly involved in the arts and community development in central Ohio. Her age is not publicly confirmed, but she is significantly younger than her husband.

Does Les Wexner have children?

Yes, Les and Abigail Wexner are the parents of four children: two sons and two daughters. The family has largely remained out of the public spotlight, and their names are not widely reported.

What is Les Wexner’s net worth? (Wealth & Companies)

What companies does Les Wexner own?

Wexner built L Brands, a retail conglomerate that at its peak included:

• Victoria’s Secret – transformed from an obscure San Francisco shop into a global lingerie powerhouse.
• Bath & Body Works – co-founded by Wexner, now a standalone public company where he serves as chair emeritus.
• The Limited – his first store, opened in 1963 in Columbus, Ohio.
• Other brands: Pink (Victoria’s Secret for teens), Henri Bendel, The White Barn Candle Company, La Senza, and he was a principal owner of Abercrombie & Fitch.

In 2020, he stepped down as Chairman and CEO of L Brands. The company sold a majority stake in Victoria’s Secret to Sycamore Partners, and Bath & Body Works was spun off as a separate public company. As of 2026, he holds no official board role at Bath & Body Works, remaining chair emeritus.

Where is Les Wexner’s house?

Wexner’s primary residence is in New Albany, Ohio, a planned community he helped develop through The New Albany Company, which he chairs. The town was inspired by an 18th-century Georgian village. He also owns Foxcote House in England, purchased in 1997, and a 315-foot yacht named Limitless, one of the largest private yachts ever owned by an American.

What is the relationship between Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein? (Legal & Controversy)

What did Les Wexner say to lawmakers about Epstein?

In February 2026, Wexner testified before lawmakers about his relationship with Epstein. According to BBC News, he stated that he was “naive, foolish and” – his words were cut off in the report. He claimed he never knew of Epstein’s crimes and said he had been “duped.” He acknowledged only one visit to Epstein’s private island, describing it as brief and family-oriented.

Was Les Wexner involved with Epstein’s crimes?

Wexner has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s illegal activities. He cut ties with Epstein in 2007, shortly before Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution. The full extent of Wexner’s awareness remains subject to legal investigation and public debate. No charges have ever been filed against Wexner, and he has cooperated with authorities. The relationship remains one of the most scrutinised aspects of the Epstein case, with many questions still unanswered.

Timeline of the Wexner–Epstein relationship

The connection between Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein began in the mid-1980s, when Epstein was introduced to Wexner as a financial advisor. By 1987, Epstein had been granted power of attorney over Wexner’s finances, a role he held for two decades. During this period, Epstein used his association with Wexner to gain access to wealthy and influential circles. In 2007, Wexner cut ties with Epstein after learning of his misconduct. Epstein was convicted in 2008. In 2019, federal prosecutors in New York examined Wexner’s relationship with Epstein as part of a broader investigation. Wexner has since returned millions of dollars in assets he said Epstein had misappropriated.

Clarity on the financial relationship

The precise nature of the financial arrangement between Wexner and Epstein has been the subject of extensive reporting. Epstein served as Wexner’s personal financial manager and held broad authority over his assets. Some reports suggest that a significant portion of Epstein’s wealth was derived from Wexner’s accounts, though the exact figures remain unclear. Wexner has stated that Epstein was a trusted advisor who betrayed that trust. The arrangement has been described by legal experts as unusually broad, with Epstein controlling many of Wexner’s financial decisions without meaningful oversight.

Analysis of Wexner’s business legacy

Setting aside the Epstein controversy, Les Wexner’s influence on American retail is difficult to overstate. He pioneered the concept of the specialty store, creating malls within malls with brands like The Limited and Victoria’s Secret. His ability to identify market gaps and scale concepts rapidly made him a billionaire many times over. The spin-off of Bath & Body Works in 2021 proved to be a shrewd move, as the brand’s value has grown significantly as an independent company. Wexner’s philanthropic contributions, particularly to Ohio State University and medical research, have been substantial. Yet his legacy will always be filtered through the lens of his association with Epstein, a fact that has troubled him publicly.

Key quotes from Wexner’s testimony

“I was naive, foolish and” – these words, spoken by Wexner during his February 2026 testimony before lawmakers, were cut off in the official report. He went on to say he had been “duped” by Epstein and that he never knew of his crimes.

Wexner also described his single visit to Epstein’s private island as “brief and family-oriented,” adding that he had no knowledge of any illegal activity taking place there. His testimony was seen by many as an attempt to distance himself from Epstein’s actions, though critics argue that the length and depth of their relationship makes such claims difficult to fully accept.

Summary

Les Wexner, now 88, built a retail empire that reshaped the American shopping landscape. From a single store in Columbus, Ohio, he created L Brands, a conglomerate that included Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and several other well-known names. His net worth of $11.5 billion places him among the wealthiest people in the United States. But his legacy is permanently intertwined with that of Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who served as his financial manager for two decades. Wexner’s 2026 testimony, in which he described himself as “naive” and “duped,” has done little to resolve the questions surrounding their relationship. The full story of what Wexner knew and when he knew it remains a subject of ongoing investigation and public debate.

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Oscar FrielStaff Writer

Oscar Friel covers business regulation, public policy, economics and institutional accountability for Civic Affairs.