Les Wexner: Net Worth, Politics, Epstein Ties & Personal Life

Few fortunes have been built as quietly — and then shattered as publicly — as Les Wexner’s. The Ohio retail billionaire who turned a single clothing store into a $5.2 billion retail empire now faces a legacy defined by his association with Jeffrey Epstein. According to OpenSecrets (campaign finance tracker), Wexner has donated over $5.3 million to political campaigns across the aisle. This article traces how his business, politics, and personal life converged in the wake of the scandal.

Age: 87 (born September 8, 1937) ·
Net worth: $5.2 billion (Forbes, 2026) ·
Known for: Founding L Brands (Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works) ·
Political affiliation: Republican ·
Marital status: Married to Abigail Koppel

Ten key facts paint a detailed portrait of Les Wexner’s life and career.

What is Les Wexner doing now?

What is Les Wexner’s current role at L Brands?

After stepping down as CEO in 2020, Wexner holds the title of chairman emeritus of L Brands (POLITICO). He no longer oversees day-to-day operations. In 2021, L Brands spun off Victoria’s Secret into a separate public company, a move that further reduced his direct involvement.

How did Les Wexner testify about Jeffrey Epstein?

According to a recorded testimony posted on YouTube, Wexner told lawmakers in February 2026 that he was “naive, foolish and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein.” He insisted he “did nothing wrong” and that Epstein was a “conman.” The Wexner Foundation (philanthropic arm) later clarified that payments Epstein made to the fund were returned Wexner family money.

The implication: His legacy is now permanently bound to that association.

How did Les Wexner make his money?

What companies does Les Wexner own?

• The Limited — first store opened in Columbus, Ohio in 1963 (Academy of Achievement)
• L Brands — holding company that controlled Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and others
• Victoria’s Secret — acquired in 1982 and turned into a national lingerie powerhouse
• Bath & Body Works — launched in the 1990s, now a standalone public company

Wexner’s genius was retail segmentation: he identified gaps in women’s apparel and cosmetics and filled them with distinct brands. The model worked so well that L Brands became a $20+ billion empire at its peak.

What is Les Wexner’s net worth?

Forbes estimates his net worth at $5.2 billion as of 2026. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index also identifies him as a billionaire, though the exact figure fluctuates with private holdings. After the Epstein revelations and the Victoria’s Secret spinoff, his wealth has stayed relatively flat. The trade-off: Wexner’s fortune is now less tied to public markets. He controls substantial private real estate and investment assets.

What is Les Wexner’s political affiliation?

Does Les Wexner support Donald Trump?

Yes, Wexner is a longtime Republican donor and a major contributor to Donald Trump’s campaigns and super PACs. OpenSecrets (campaign finance tracker) reported that Wexner and his wife contributed over $5.3 million to state and federal campaigns, with a significant share directed to Trump-aligned groups.

Is Les Wexner a Democrat or Republican?

Wexner is a Republican. He has donated to GOP congressional candidates and conservative causes for decades. In January 2022, he gave $250,000 to the Republican Governors Association — his first six-figure contribution since 2018 (POLITICO).

OpenSecrets characterizes him as the wealthiest Republican donor in Ohio. However, his political giving sharply declined after 2019, when his relationship with Epstein became public.

Is Les Wexner married now?

Who is Les Wexner’s wife?

Les Wexner has been married to Abigail Koppel since 1993. Koppel, a former lawyer, is deeply involved in the couple’s philanthropic work through the Wexner Foundation. The couple has four children: three sons and one daughter.

Wexner’s marriage and family life have remained relatively stable even as his business and reputation took hits. Abigail Koppel is often listed alongside him on donation records reported by NBC4.

What ethnicity is Les Wexner?

Is Les Wexner Jewish?

Yes, Les Wexner was born to Jewish parents Harry and Bella Wexner. His father owned a women’s clothing store in Dayton, Ohio, where Les worked as a teenager. He was raised in Dayton and has spoken about his Jewish heritage as a source of pride.

What is Les Wexner’s family background?

His grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Europe. Wexner’s philanthropy includes major support for Jewish causes, notably through the Wexner Foundation, which funds leadership programs for Jewish professionals.

The Wexner Foundation (philanthropic arm) explicitly ties its mission to Jewish values and community building.

Timeline

• September 8, 1937 — Les Wexner born in Dayton, Ohio
• 1963 — Opens first The Limited store in Columbus, Ohio (Academy of Achievement)
• 1980s — Expands L Brands; acquires and grows Victoria’s Secret into a national brand (Academy of Achievement)
• 1990s — Launches Bath & Body Works; L Brands becomes a retail giant (Academy of Achievement)
• 2007 — Begins association with Jeffrey Epstein; Epstein’s foundation donates $2.5M to Ohio State University (Ohio State University News)
• 2019–2020 — Epstein arrested and dies; Wexner distances himself, steps down as CEO of L Brands (POLITICO)
• 2021 — L Brands spins off Victoria’s Secret into a separate public company
• February 2026 — Wexner testifies to U.S. lawmakers, claims he was naive and foolish regarding Epstein (YouTube testimony)
• 2026 — Remains chairman emeritus; net worth static at $5.2 billion per Forbes

Clarity: What we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Les Wexner founded L Brands and built a multibillion-dollar retail empire (Academy of Achievement)
• He is married to Abigail Koppel and has four children
• He is a lifelong Republican and donated heavily to Donald Trump and other GOP causes (OpenSecrets)
• He testified in 2026 that he was deceived by Jeffrey Epstein (YouTube)
• He stepped down as CEO of L Brands in 2020 (POLITICO)

What remains unclear

• The full extent of his knowledge about Epstein’s activities during their association
• Whether his political donations will face further legal or ethical investigations
• His precise current net worth due to private holdings and market fluctuations
• His future role in public life or philanthropy
• The exact amount of his contributions to Donald Trump‑aligned groups
• The full value and number of his real‑estate holdings

The pattern: Even what is confirmed leaves large gaps in the public record.

Quotes

“I was naive, foolish and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a conman. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong.”

— Les Wexner, during February 2026 testimony (YouTube)

“Les Wexner founded L Brands, a global retail empire that included Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, and served as CEO for more than 50 years.”

— Forbes profile (2026)

“Leslie H. Wexner is the Founder and former Chairman and CEO of L Brands. He founded the company in Columbus, Ohio, in 1963 with one store.”

— Ohio State University trustee page (Ohio State University News)

The testimony, combined with outside reporting, paints a conflicted portrait.

Summary

Les Wexner’s story is a cautionary tale about the cost of trusting the wrong person. His $5.2 billion retail empire, built over six decades, is now overshadowed by the Epstein scandal. For Ohio Republicans who have benefited from his donations, the choice is clear: accept his money and risk the stain, or distance themselves and lose a major source of funding. Wexner himself faces a legacy that no amount of philanthropy can fully restore.

For a comprehensive look at the retail mogul’s financial standing and the ongoing questions surrounding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, readers can turn to this detailed profile of Les Wexner.

Frequently asked questions

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