Les Wexner: Net Worth, Epstein Ties, and Current Status

When a man who built Victoria’s Secret into a global empire sits down for five hours with congressional investigators, the questions don’t stop at lingerie. Les Wexner’s February 18, 2026 deposition revealed how the partnership that shaped his fortune also became its deepest liability.

Born: September 8, 1937 ·
Net worth: $6–9 billion (estimates vary) ·
Company founded: L Brands (1963) ·
Current role: Chair Emeritus ·
Recent event: Congressional testimony (Feb 2026)

Six facts that frame Wexner’s profile, one pattern: a retail titan whose legacy is now inseparable from the Epstein scandal.

What is Les Wexner doing now?

Life since stepping down as CEO

Les Wexner stepped down as CEO of L Brands in February 2020, after more than five decades at the helm (ABC News). Since then, he has remained in an advisory capacity and focused on his philanthropic foundation. His public profile has been dominated by the Epstein investigation, culminating in the February 18, 2026 congressional deposition (NBC News).

Role as Chair Emeritus

Wexner holds the title of Chair Emeritus of L Brands, the parent company he founded in 1963. In this role, he provides strategic guidance but no longer manages day-to-day operations. The company restructured after his departure, spinning off Victoria’s Secret into a separate publicly traded entity in August 2021 (ABC News).

Congressional testimony in 2026

Under subpoena from the House Oversight Committee, Wexner testified in a private session that lasted roughly five to six hours (The New York Times). According to reports, he described himself as “duped by a world-class con man” and denied any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activity (NBC News). Wexner said he “completely and irrevocably severed ties” with Epstein nearly twenty years ago (CNBC). However, House Democrats publicly said they found his claim of having little personal connection to Epstein not credible (The New York Times).

Philanthropic activities through the Wexner Foundation

Wexner remains active with the Wexner Foundation, which he and his wife Abigail established to support leadership and philanthropy. The foundation funds fellowships and community programs, particularly in Ohio and Israel. His name also appears on the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University, a major philanthropic gift.

The pattern: Wexner’s post-CEO life remains defined by the Epstein scandal, with his philanthropic work overshadowed by the ongoing investigation.

How did Les Wexner make money?

Founding of L Brands in 1963

Wexner opened his first store, “The Limited,” in Columbus, Ohio, in 1963 (EBSCO Research Starters). The concept — a women’s apparel store offering a limited selection of fashionable items at accessible prices — grew into a chain. By the early 1980s, The Limited had expanded nationwide, providing the capital for Wexner’s next big move.

Building Victoria’s Secret into a global lingerie empire

In 1982, Wexner acquired Victoria’s Secret, then a small California-based chain with a handful of stores (ABC News). He reimagined the brand with a luxurious, aspirational aesthetic — marble floors, dark wood, and sales associates dressed in lingerie. The strategy paid off: Victoria’s Secret became the dominant American lingerie retailer, with annual sales exceeding $7 billion at its peak. Wexner is widely credited with inventing the modern lingerie retail category.

Expansion into Bath & Body Works

Diversifying beyond apparel, Wexner launched Bath & Body Works in 1990. The personal care and home fragrance chain grew into a multi-billion dollar subsidiary, often outperforming Victoria’s Secret in profitability. Bath & Body Works remains a key part of the L Brands legacy, now operating as a separate public company.

Business strategy and retail innovations

Wexner’s success stemmed from vertical integration, tight supply chain control, and a willingness to test new formats. He pioneered the “mall anchor” strategy, building L Brands into a conglomerate that at one time owned Express, Limited Too, Henri Bendel, and others. His net worth — estimated at $6 billion by EBSCO (EBSCO Research Starters) and $9 billion by Forbes (Forbes) as of early 2026 — reflects decades of retail dominance.

Why did Les Wexner step down?

Ties to Jeffrey Epstein

Wexner’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein dated back to the 1980s. Epstein served as Wexner’s financial advisor and was granted power of attorney over his personal finances (The New York Times). After Epstein’s first conviction for soliciting a minor in 2007, Wexner said he learned Epstein had embezzled “vast sums” from his family and immediately severed all ties (BBC News).

Allegations and stolen funds

According to Wexner’s 2026 testimony, the theft was “vast.” He alleged that Epstein exploited their personal and financial relationship to divert money without his knowledge. Wexner’s name appeared more than 1,000 times in the Epstein documents released by the courts (PBS NewsHour), and a 2019 FBI document reportedly listed Wexner as a co-conspirator, though he has never been charged (Forbes).

Pressure from investors and public

After Epstein’s second arrest in 2019, media scrutiny intensified. Investors and board members pressured Wexner to step aside to protect the brand’s reputation. The COVID-19 pandemic added financial strain, and in February 2020, he resigned as CEO of L Brands (ABC News).

Transition to chair emeritus role

Upon stepping down, Wexner was named Chair Emeritus, a ceremonial role that allowed him to retain influence without operational control. The company was subsequently restructured: Victoria’s Secret was spun off in 2021, and Bath & Body Works became a separate public entity. The transition effectively ended Wexner’s six-decade run as the face of L Brands.

The catch: Wexner’s resignation preserved the company but did not insulate him from continued legal and reputational exposure.

What is Les Wexner’s political affiliation?

Republican donor history

Wexner has been a major donor to Republican candidates and causes for decades. Federal Election Commission records show contributions to national and state-level campaigns, including those of senators and governors aligned with the GOP (EBSCO Research Starters).

Support for Donald Trump

Wexner supported Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns, both in 2016 and 2020. Their relationship predated Trump’s political career; both were New York real estate and retail figures. Wexner hosted fundraisers and contributed to Trump’s re-election efforts (NBC News).

Political activism and contributions

Beyond federal races, Wexner has been active in Ohio politics. His contributions to state-level candidates and party committees have made him a prominent figure in Buckeye State fundraising. The Wexner Foundation also engages in nonpartisan leadership development, though its activities avoid direct campaign work.

Influence in Ohio politics

Wexner’s influence extends through his philanthropy, which has endowed buildings at Ohio State University and funded civic projects in Columbus and New Albany. His political network remains strong, though the Epstein scandal has complicated his public standing (The New York Times).

What this means: Wexner’s political influence, built over decades, now carries reputational risk for the candidates he supports.

Is Les Wexner still married?

Marriage to Abigail Wexner

Les Wexner is married to Abigail Wexner (née Kopp). The couple married in the early 1990s and have remained together through the Epstein storm. Abigail Wexner is involved in philanthropy, particularly through the Wexner Foundation and local Columbus charities (EBSCO Research Starters).

Family and children

The Wexners have four children together: three daughters and one son. The family is known for its private lifestyle, rarely appearing in tabloid coverage. Their children have pursued careers outside the retail empire, with some involved in the foundation’s work.

Residence in Columbus, Ohio

The Wexner family resides in an estate in New Albany, Ohio, an affluent suburb of Columbus. The property, known as “The Bishopsgate Estate,” is one of the largest private residences in central Ohio. It has been the site of political fundraisers and foundation events (EBSCO Research Starters).

Personal wealth and lifestyle

Despite stepping down and facing legal scrutiny, Wexner’s wealth remains substantial. Forbes reported his net worth at $9 billion in February 2026 (Forbes), though EBSCO placed it at $6 billion (EBSCO Research Starters). The discrepancy underscores the private nature of his holdings, which include real estate, investments, and the residual value of his L Brands shares.

The pattern: Wexner’s private stability contrasts sharply with the unraveling of his public legacy.

Timeline: Les Wexner’s life and Epstein ties

• 1937 – Les Wexner born in Dayton, Ohio.
• 1963 – Founds L Brands (The Limited) in Columbus, Ohio.
• 1982 – Acquires Victoria’s Secret and transforms it into a global lingerie brand.
• 2007 – Cuts professional ties with Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein’s first conviction. Wexner says he discovered Epstein had embezzled “vast sums” (BBC News).
• 2020 – Steps down as CEO of L Brands, becomes Chair Emeritus (ABC News).
• February 18, 2026 – Testifies before Congress, calling himself “naive” and accusing Epstein of theft (NBC News).

Key quotes from the record

“I was duped by a world-class con man.”

— Les Wexner, in congressional testimony on February 18, 2026 (NBC News)

“House Democrats publicly said they found Wexner’s claim of having little personal connection to Epstein not credible.”

— The New York Times, summarizing the committee’s reaction (The New York Times)

“Wexner is the retired founder of Victoria’s Secret through his former control of L Brands.”

— ABC News, in context of his business biography (ABC News)

For Wexner, the legacy of building a retail empire now stands in the shadow of a partnership he says cost him “vast sums” and his reputation. The next question for investigators: whether the man who helped finance modern lingerie also enabled one of the most notorious predators of the 21st century. For the House Oversight Committee, the deposition transcript may hold the answer — and the next steps could reshape what the public knows about the financial machinery behind Epstein’s network.

For a deeper look into how the retail billionaire’s legacy became entangled with Jeffrey Epstein, read Les Wexners biography and Epstein scandal.

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