LES WEXNER • Net Worth $9 Billion • House • Yacht • Prive jet • L-merken
Leslie Wexner: The Man Behind The Limited, L Brands and Victoria’s Secret
Leslie “Les” Wexner is an American billionaire businessman, retail pioneer, philanthropist, art collector, and founder of De Beperkte, the company that later became Beperkte merken en dan L-merken. Born on September 8, 1937, in Dayton, Ohio, Wexner built one of the most influential retail empires in American history.
He opened his first women’s sportswear store, De Beperkte, in 1963. From that single store, he created a retail group that at different times included Victoria's geheim, Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, Lane Bryant, Lerner New York, Henri Bendel, Express, La Senza, and other brands.
Wexner stepped down as chairman and CEO of L Brands in 2020 after more than five decades leading the company. In 2021, L Brands completed the separation of Victoria’s Secret & Co. van Bath & Body Works, Inc., ending the old L Brands structure.
Hij is getrouwd met Abigail S. Wexner, a lawyer, philanthropist, civic leader, and founder of The Center for Family Safety and Healing. Together they have four children: Sara, Hannah, David, en Harry Wexner.
Wexner is also known as the owner of the 96-meter Lürssen yacht LIMITLESS.
Samenvatting
- Leslie Wexner founded The Limited in 1963 and built it into one of America’s most important specialty retail groups.
- The Limited later became Limited Brands and then L Brands.
- Wexner bought Victoria’s Secret in 1982 for about $1 million and transformed it into a global lingerie and beauty brand.
- He also built Bath & Body Works into a major personal care and home fragrance retailer.
- Wexner stepped down as CEO and chairman of L Brands in 2020 and became chairman emeritus.
- In August 2021, L Brands split into two separate public companies: Victoria’s Secret & Co. and Bath & Body Works, Inc.
- Forbes currently lists Les Wexner & family on its 2026 billionaires list, while Bloomberg estimates his fortune at about $11.2 billion.
- Wexner remains one of the richest people in Ohio and one of the most successful retail entrepreneurs in U.S. history.
- He is married to Abigail S. Wexner, an attorney, philanthropist, and civic leader.
- Abigail S. Koppel is the founder and chair of The Center for Family Safety and Healing and has served in major leadership roles at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is named in her honor.
- Les and Abigail Wexner are major philanthropists through The Wexner Foundation and other family charitable funds.
- Les Wexner owns the 96-meter Lürssen yacht LIMITLESS.
Birth of a Retail Empire: The Limited
Les Wexner started his retail career after noticing that traditional department stores were trying to sell too many categories to too many customers. He believed a store focused on a narrower selection of women’s sportswear could be more efficient, more fashionable, and more profitable.
In 1963, with money borrowed from his aunt, he opened De Beperkte in Columbus, Ohio. The name reflected the store’s focus on a limited selection of fast-moving women’s clothing.
The concept worked quickly. Within a few years, The Limited expanded to multiple stores, and in 1969 the company went public. Wexner used the public market to fund rapid growth, turning The Limited into one of the defining American mall retailers of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
From Limited Brands to L Brands
The Limited became the foundation of a much larger retail empire. Wexner’s strategy was to build or acquire focused specialty brands, scale them nationally, and manage them with tight merchandising discipline.
The company later became Beperkte merken en dan L-merken. At its peak, the group controlled some of the most recognizable names in American retail.
Over time, the company sold or spun off many brands. The original Limited brand was sold to Sun Capital Partners in 2007. Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, Lane Bryant, Henri Bendel, La Senza, and other businesses were also sold, separated, or closed as the group became increasingly focused on Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works.
Victoria’s Secret: Wexner’s Most Famous Acquisition
In 1982, Wexner acquired Victoria's geheim for about $1 miljoen. At the time, it was a small San Francisco-based lingerie business with a catalog and a handful of stores.
Wexner transformed Victoria’s Secret into a national and then global brand. Under L Brands, Victoria’s Secret became famous for its glamorous stores, catalog, beauty products, PINK brand, and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
For years, the brand dominated the U.S. lingerie market and became one of the most profitable parts of Wexner’s retail empire. However, by the late 2010s, Victoria’s Secret faced falling sales, criticism of its brand image, changing consumer preferences, and controversy surrounding the company’s culture and leadership.
Bath & Body Works
Wexner also created and grew Bath & Body Works, which opened its first store in 1990. The brand became a major retailer of personal care products, fragrances, candles, soaps, lotions, and home scent products.
After L Brands separated Victoria’s Secret in 2021, the remaining public company changed its name to Bath & Body Works, Inc. and trades under the ticker BBWI.
Bath & Body Works remains one of the most successful survivors of the former L Brands empire.
The 2021 Split: Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works
In 2020, L Brands tried to sell a majority stake in Victoria’s Secret to Sycamore Partners, but that transaction was canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, L Brands instead separated Victoria’s Secret into an independent public company. On August 3, 2021, Victoria’s Secret & Co. began trading as a separate public company under the ticker VSCO. The remaining company changed its name from L Brands to Bath & Body Works, Inc. and trades under BBWI.
This split formally ended the L Brands conglomerate that Wexner had built over decades.
Les Wexner’s Net Worth
Les Wexner’s vermogen has been estimated in the multi-billion-dollar range for decades. Forbes lists Les Wexner & family on its 2026 billionaires list, while Bloomberg estimates his fortune at about $11.2 billion.
His wealth comes from decades of retail ownership, public-company shareholdings, private investments, real estate, art, and other assets.
Older estimates placed his fortune closer to $6 miljard, but current billionaire-index estimates are higher, reflecting public equity values, private holdings, and family wealth.
Art Collection and the Wexner Center for the Arts
Les Wexner is known for his major art collection, which has included works by Pablo Picasso, Jean Dubuffet, Alberto Giacometti, Edgar Degas, and other important artists.
He has also been a major supporter of the arts in Ohio. The Wexner Centrum voor de Kunsten at The Ohio State University is named in honor of his father, Harry Wexner.
The Wexner Center is known for contemporary art, film, performing arts, exhibitions, and public programming. It remains one of the most visible cultural institutions connected to the Wexner family.
Philanthropy and the Wexner Foundation
Les and Abigail Wexner are major philanthropists. Their giving has supported Jewish leadership, education, healthcare, arts, civic institutions, public safety, children’s welfare, medical research, and community development.
Het Stichting Wexner, founded in 1985, is focused on leadership development for Jewish professionals, volunteers, and public leaders in North America and Israel. The foundation’s programs have trained and connected thousands of leaders across Jewish communal life, nonprofit work, public service, and philanthropy.
The Wexner family has also made major gifts to The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Foundation, and other Ohio institutions.
Abigail S. Koppel
Abigail S. Wexner, born Abigail S. Koppel in 1962, is an American attorney, philanthropist, civic leader, and the wife of Les Wexner. She married Les Wexner on January 23, 1993, and the couple have four children: Sara, Hannah, David, en Harry Wexner.
Abigail Wexner earned a law degree and worked as an attorney before becoming deeply involved in philanthropy, healthcare, education, family safety, and civic leadership.
She is the CEO of Whitebarn Associates, a private investment company. She has served on the boards of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Wexner Foundation, The Journey Foundation, KIPP Columbus, en zijn United States Equestrian Team Foundation.
Abigail Wexner and Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Abigail Wexner has been one of the most important civic leaders connected to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
She joined the hospital’s board in 1993 and served as board chair from 2005 to 2012. During her leadership, Nationwide Children’s completed one of the largest pediatric hospital expansions in the United States and strengthened its national reputation in children’s healthcare and research.
In 2019, the hospital’s research institute was renamed the Abigail Wexner Research Institute in recognition of her long-term leadership, advocacy, and support. The institute is one of the largest pediatric research centers in the United States and supports work in genetics, neuroscience, cancer, immunology, infectious disease, injury prevention, and other fields.
The Center for Family Safety and Healing
Abigail Wexner is the founder and chair of The Center for Family Safety and Healing at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The center focuses on child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, teen dating abuse, elder abuse, and family violence prevention.
In 2019, the Wexner Family Charitable Fund donated $20 miljoen to support The Center for Family Safety and Healing. The gift strengthened the center’s work in prevention, treatment, advocacy, training, and community support.
Abigail Wexner’s work in this area is one of the most important parts of her public legacy.
Abigail Wexner and Education
Abigail Wexner is a founding board member of KIPP Columbus, part of the national KIPP public charter school network. KIPP Columbus serves students in central Ohio and focuses on college preparation, character development, and long-term educational opportunity.
She has also supported leadership education, civic programs, and Jewish education through The Wexner Foundation and related charitable work.
Equestrian Activities and the New Albany Classic
Abigail Wexner is also known for her involvement in equestrian sport. For many years, the Wexner family hosted the New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day at their estate in New Albany, Ohio.
The event raised money for The Center for Family Safety and Healing and became one of the major equestrian and philanthropic events in central Ohio. In 2018, Abigail Wexner announced the end of the event, citing changes in the equestrian competition calendar.
The Wexner Family
Les and Abigail Wexner have four children: Sara, Hannah, David, en Harry Wexner. The family is based in New Albany, Ohio, the planned community northeast of Columbus that Wexner helped develop and shape over several decades.
The Wexners are known for keeping their family life private, despite Les Wexner’s long public career and Abigail Wexner’s civic leadership.
Sarah Wexner
Sarah Wexner is one of Les and Abigail Wexner’s children. Some online profiles have incorrectly described her as born in 1998 while also claiming that she graduated from Harvard in 2008, which is not consistent.
Because reliable public information about the Wexner children is limited, it is best to avoid overly specific claims about Sarah’s education or career unless directly verified by a reliable source.
The Wexner children generally keep a low public profile compared with their parents.
New Albany Estate
Les and Abigail Wexner live in Nieuwe Albany, Ohio, a community northeast of Columbus. Their estate is one of the most prominent private residences in Ohio and has been described as a Georgian-inspired property set on hundreds of acres.
Wexner played a central role in the development of New Albany, helping transform it into a planned community known for large homes, Georgian architecture, schools, green space, and corporate campuses.
Yacht LIMITLESS
Les Wexner is the owner of the 96.25-meter yacht LIMITLESS. Gebouwd door Lürssen in Germany and delivered in 1997, LIMITLESS was one of the largest private yachts in the world at the time of her launch.
Het jacht werd ontworpen door Jon Bannenberg en Jonathan Quinn Barnett, met interieurs van François Catroux. She is notable for being one of the first large yachts to use a combined diesel and diesel-electric propulsion system.
LIMITLESS measures approximately 96 meters and has a beam of about 12.5 meters. She is powered by Caterpillar engines and can reach a top speed of around 25 knopen, making her unusually fast for a yacht of her size.
She is valued at around $100 miljoen, met jaarlijkse exploitatiekosten die worden geschat op ongeveer $10 miljoen.
Prive jet
Les Wexner has also been linked to a Boeing 737 zakenjet. Large private aircraft are often used by billionaire families for international travel, business, philanthropy, and yacht-related movements.
As with many private aircraft, ownership can be held through corporate structures, so public aircraft details should be treated carefully unless confirmed by current registry data.
Epstein Controversy
Any modern profile of Les Wexner should also mention his past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein served as Wexner’s financial adviser and power-of-attorney holder for many years.
After Epstein’s crimes became widely public, Wexner said that Epstein had misappropriated large sums of money from him and his family. The relationship has been heavily scrutinized in books, documentaries, lawsuits, and media investigations.
Wexner has denied knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct. However, his long association with Epstein remains one of the most controversial parts of his public legacy.
Ohio State and Recent Legal Scrutiny
In recent years, Wexner’s name has also appeared in reporting connected to Ohio State University and the Richard Strauss abuse scandal. Some alumni and survivors have called for more transparency about the university’s historic ties to Wexner and other donors.
In February 2026, a federal judge ordered Wexner to attend a deposition in litigation connected to the Strauss abuse case after an earlier attempt to quash a subpoena. This matter is separate from his retail career but has become part of the broader public discussion around philanthropy, institutional influence, and accountability.
Veelgestelde vragen over Les Wexner
What contributed to Les Wexner’s wealth?
Les Wexner built his wealth through retail. He founded The Limited in 1963 and later built Limited Brands / L Brands into a retail empire that included Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, Henri Bendel, Lane Bryant, and other brands.
Does L Brands still exist?
No. In 2021, L Brands separated Victoria’s Secret into an independent public company and changed its own name to Bath & Body Works, Inc..
What is Leslie Wexner’s net worth?
Wexner’s net worth is estimated in the multi-billion-dollar range. Bloomberg has estimated Les Wexner at about $11.2 billion, while Forbes lists Les Wexner & family on its 2026 billionaires list.
Who is Abigail S. Wexner?
Abigail S. Wexner, born Abigail Koppel, is an attorney, philanthropist, civic leader, CEO of Whitebarn Associates, founder and chair of The Center for Family Safety and Healing, and former chair of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Where does Leslie Wexner live?
Les and Abigail Wexner live in New Albany, Ohio, where they own a large private estate.
Does Les Wexner own a yacht?
Yes. Les Wexner owns the 96-meter Lürssen yacht LIMITLESS.
Conclusie
Leslie Wexner is one of the most important retail entrepreneurs in American history. From one store called The Limited, he built a multi-brand empire that shaped shopping malls, lingerie retail, beauty, personal care, and specialty fashion for decades.
His legacy is complex. It includes extraordinary business success, major philanthropy, cultural institutions, healthcare leadership through Abigail S. Wexner, and the development of New Albany, Ohio. It also includes controversy over Victoria’s Secret’s decline and his long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Together, Les and Abigail Wexner remain major figures in business, philanthropy, healthcare, Jewish leadership, Ohio civic life, and the superjacht wereld.
Bronnen
- forbes.com/profile/les-wexner
- bloomberg.com – Les Wexner profile
- bbwinc.com – Bath & Body Works completes separation of Victoria’s Secret
- victoriassecretandco.com – company FAQs
- wexnerfoundation.org – Abigail S. Wexner
- wexnerfoundation.org – Wexner philanthropic legacy
- nationwidechildrens.org – Wexner family gift to The Center for Family Safety and Healing
- nationwidechildrens.org – Abigail Wexner Research Institute
- kipp.org – Abigail S. Wexner profile
- cityscenecolumbus.com – Abigail Wexner and The Center for Family Safety and Healing
- time.com – Victoria’s Secret, Wexner and Epstein documentary background
- vanityfair.com – Wexner and Epstein reporting
- ohiocapitaljournal.com – Ohio State and Wexner name controversy
- yachtbuyer.com – LIMITLESS yacht profile
- superyachtfan.com/yacht/limitless
- superyachtfan.com/yacht/limitless/owner
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Les Wexner-huis
Hij woont met zijn vrouwAbigail Wexner op een groot landgoed in Nieuw Albany, Ohio. Het is een van de grootste huizen in de omgeving. Hij bezat ooit het oorspronkelijke landgoed van Palm Beach dat nu bekend staat als Maison de L'Amitie (en eigendom van de Russische miljardair).Dmitri Rybolovlev). Rybolovlev betaalde US$ 95 miljoen voor het huis.
New Albany, Ohio, is een stad die bekend staat om zijn welvarende levensstijl en uitgestrekte, schilderachtige landschappen. Als een door de meester geplande gemeenschap beschikt het over ongerepte buurten met architectuur in Georgische stijl en staat het bekend om zijn nadruk op culturele en educatieve activiteiten. Met een reputatie als een van de rijkste buitenwijken in de omgeving van Columbus, is het de thuisbasis van opmerkelijke inwoners zoals miljardair Wexner. De stad wordt gekenmerkt door haar toewijding aan betrokkenheid van de gemeenschap, waarbij het hele jaar door een reeks evenementen en festivals wordt gepromoot. Al met al biedt New Albany een hoogwaardige leefomgeving die wordt gekenmerkt door een sterk gemeenschapsgevoel, uitzonderlijke scholen en een rijk cultureel erfgoed.
Jacht grenzeloos
Hij is de eigenaar van de Lurssen motor jacht Grenzeloos. Het jacht voert de Amerikaanse vlag.
Gebouwd door gerenommeerde Duitse jachtbouwer, Lürssen, Limitless bevat ontwerpelementen uit de creatieve geest van Jon Bannenberg.
Uitgerust met twee Caterpillar-motoren en met een combinatie van diesel- en dieselelektrische aandrijving, de Grenzeloos jacht kan snelheden tot 25 knopen bereiken.
De binnenruimtes, ontworpen door de gewaardeerde ontwerper François Catrouxweerspiegelen een ethos van weelde en comfort, passend bij het spraakmakende eigendom van het jacht.
Wexner bezit een Boeing 737 BBJ uit 1999prive jet, met kenteken N500LS. Het vliegtuig is formeel geregistreerd bij een bedrijf genaamd Hayes Productions LLC, gevestigd op het adres van L Brands in Ohio. Het vliegtuig biedt plaats aan 18 passagiers.
Boeing 737BBJ
Het Boeing BBJ (Boeing zakenjet) is een serie zakenvliegtuigen gebaseerd op het populaire commerciële lijnvliegtuig Boeing 737. De BBJ-serie biedt een unieke combinatie van bereik, snelheid en comfort voor zakelijk en particulier gebruik. De jets zijn ontworpen voor executive- en VIP-reizen en bevatten doorgaans luxe voorzieningen zoals privéslaapkamers, conferentieruimtes en loungeruimtes.
De BBJ-serie heeft een groter bereik dan de meeste andere zakenjets, waardoor non-stopvluchten naar bestemmingen over de hele wereld mogelijk zijn. De jets hebben ook een ruime cabine, met hoge plafonds en grote ramen, waardoor passagiers een comfortabele en goed uitgeruste reisomgeving hebben.
Boeing is blijven investeren in de BBJ-serie en biedt nieuwe modellen en upgrades aan die de mogelijkheden en het comfort ervan verder vergroten. De BBJ wordt algemeen beschouwd als een van de beste zakenjets die er zijn en wordt gebruikt door bedrijven, overheden en particulieren over de hele wereld.
De prijs van een Boeing BBJ kan sterk variëren, afhankelijk van verschillende factoren, waaronder het specifieke model, de leeftijd en de configuratie van het vliegtuig. Gemiddeld kunnen de kosten van een nieuwe BBJ variëren van $70 miljoen tot $100 miljoen of meer.
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