Who is Les Wexner?

Early Life and the Birth of a Retail Empire

Leslie H. Wexner was born on September 8, 1937, in Dayton, Ohio, to Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe – a background that shaped his identity and later philanthropic commitments. Growing up in a modest household, Wexner developed a keen sense of discipline and ambition that would propel him far beyond his Midwestern roots. After graduating from Ohio State University, he entered the world of retail during a period of unprecedented growth in American consumer culture.

In 1963, Wexner founded The Limited, a Columbus-based clothing retailer that capitalized on a growing appetite for contemporary fashion at accessible prices. His vision was simple yet revolutionary: a tightly controlled portfolio of specialty retail brands built around strong identity, aspirational imagery, and sophisticated operational discipline. The strategy worked beyond expectations. Through The Limited, Wexner acquired, built, and revitalized numerous specialty brands over several decades, consolidating them into a retail empire that came to dominate the U.S. fashion landscape.

By the 1980s, Wexner had acquired Victoria’s Secret, then a struggling lingerie brand. Under his direction, Victoria’s Secret was transformed into a cultural phenomenon—synonymous with glamour, fashion shows, and a particular model of sensual femininity. His stewardship turned what was once a niche boutique chain into a dominant force in intimate apparel. Along the way, Wexner’s company also controlled other recognizable names—Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch, La Senza, Lane Bryant, Express, and more.

For decades, this accomplishment earned Wexner accolades as one of America’s most successful and innovative entrepreneurs—a man who could see, define, and capture the cultural mood, and translate it into consistent profit. His business empire employed tens of thousands, shaped the modern mall landscape, and became a case study in brand marketing and diversification.

Philanthropy, Civic Leadership, and the Making of New Albany

As Wexner’s wealth grew, so did his influence beyond retail. He became a powerful civic leader in Ohio, especially in the Columbus region. He shepherded the development of New Albany, Ohio, a once-small rural community outside Columbus, transforming it into a thriving economic hub through strategic real estate development projects undertaken by The New Albany Company—an affiliate of his family’s holdings.

Wexner made major philanthropic commitments, particularly in health, education, and the arts. Among the institutions bearing his name was the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University—a world-class hospital and research institution—and the Wexner Center for the Arts, a multidisciplinary art campus at Ohio State. Other gifts underlined his support for Jewish causes, education, and civic culture.

Despite the immense influence and gratitude he garnered from philanthropic circles, the nature of nonprofit naming often came to be reevaluated as controversies swirled around Wexner’s associations in later years. These kinds of debates—while not unique to Wexner—would take on new urgency during the legal and ethical scrutiny of the 2020s.

The Epstein Connection: New Scrutiny in the 2020s

A defining and deeply controversial chapter of Wexner’s life—and one that has reshaped how historians and the public view his legacy—emerged from his longstanding association with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier who was convicted of soliciting sex from minors and later implicated in human trafficking before dying by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Epstein first met Wexner in the late 1980s, introduced by Wexner’s then-financial advisor. Despite warned concerns about Epstein’s character, Wexner employed him as his personal financial manager—a decision that would have long-term implications. Epstein was granted power of attorney over Wexner’s finances, exercising unusually broad control. In time, Epstein acquired valuable assets by purchasing and controlling real estate and other holdings tied to Wexner’s wealth.

For years, the nature and implications of this relationship were murky, discussed in business circles more as a curiosity than a scandal. But as the details of Epstein’s crimes came to national attention—and as victims’ accounts and legal scrutiny mounted—questions about Wexner’s role and awareness deepened.

By the mid-2010s and into the 2020s, media investigations, court filings, and government records began unpacking this complex relationship more critically. Reports revealed that Epstein used his access to Wexner and his businesses to further his own financial interests—and, critics allege, to enhance his credibility in elite social and professional circles.

Even after Wexner moved to sever ties with Epstein in 2007—well before Epstein’s 2019 arrest—questions persisted about how much Wexner knew and when he knew it. Epstein’s manipulation, financial dealings, and exploitation of that trust would later become central elements in ongoing legal and public debates.

2025–2026: Unredacted Files, Legal Battles, and Public Backlash

The release of previously classified documents and FBI records in late 2025 and early 2026 radically intensified public scrutiny of Wexner. These files, stemming from the 2019 Epstein investigation, identified Wexner as a possible “co-conspirator” in Epstein’s sex trafficking network—though they emphasized that the evidence against him was limited, and no criminal charges have been filed.

On February 10, 2026, U.S. media widely reported that the Department of Justice had permitted certain Congressional members to view these files, which listed Wexner among others that included notorious figures like Ghislaine Maxwell. The FBI’s internal memo categorized Wexner as a co-conspirator in a 2019 sex trafficking investigation, although prosecutors clarified that the evidence was “limited” and that Wexner had not been charged.

This disclosure sparked immediate political and social reactions. Some U.S. lawmakers criticized the initial redactions and demanded accountability, while others cautioned against assuming guilt from an FBI list that did not result in formal charges.

Legal Actions and Subpoenas
In early 2026, Wexner was scheduled to be deposed by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding his ties to Epstein, underscoring how deeply embedded the issue had become in national discourse.
Controversies at Ohio State
Simultaneously, civil litigation surrounding the long-running sexual abuse case involving former Ohio State University physician Dr. Richard Strauss reached Wexner’s doorstep. Survivors sought deposition from Wexner, alleging that as a former OSU trustee during the period of Strauss’s abuses, Wexner had relevant knowledge or context. A federal judge cleared the way for such subpoenas, though Wexner and his lawyers have argued he has no relevant testimony and have moved to quash these efforts.
Public Outcry and Reputation Impact
Public protests and alumni demands called for the removal of Wexner’s name from university facilities, citing both his ties to Epstein and his resistance to participating in the Ohio State litigation process. While institutions have not universally acceded to these demands, the discourse reflects a broader shift in how philanthropic naming and legacy are reevaluated amid ethical controversies.

These developments illustrate that Wexner’s reputation—long defined by retail success and civic prominence—is now heavily overshadowed by allegations connected to one of the most notorious criminal scandals of modern times. The implications continue to unfold as legal questions, public opinion, and institutional decisions evolve.

Continued Business and Investments Beyond Retail

Amid the legal and reputational challenges, Wexner has remained financially active outside the core retail businesses he once led. A noteworthy example is his early and sizeable investment in CoreWeave, an AI infrastructure company that became a major player in artificial intelligence cloud computing – a sector that has seen explosive growth in the 2020s.

An investment of around $1 million several years ago turned into a stake worth hundreds of millions as CoreWeave expanded into AI-focused cloud services. According to public reporting, Wexner’s family trust either sold parts of this stake or held a significant position that translated into a massive financial windfall.

This pivot – albeit indirect – into high technology investment reflects Wexner’s ongoing engagement with evolving markets well beyond his original retail roots. It also highlights how business figures of his generation often leverage early capital to participate in next-generation sectors like AI, data centers, and cloud infrastructure.