Leslie 'Les' Herbert Wexner is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and former Chairman/CEO of L Brands (formerly The Limited, Inc.), a major global apparel and retail conglomerate (brands included Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Express). Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1940, his career is rooted in retail innovation.

Wexner graduated from Ohio State University (1959) and briefly attended Ohio State University Law School before dropping out. His entrepreneurial journey began in 1963 with a $5,000 loan from his aunt, launching The Limited in Columbus, Ohio. His philosophy centers on brand development, vertical integration, and aggressive growth in the fashion and apparel retail sector.

• L Brands (Former Chairman & CEO): The former core asset, a major retailer that owned Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Express (the company was broken up and its assets monetized).
• Retail Pioneer: He successfully introduced the fast-fashion apparel model and developed specialized retail concepts (Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works).
• Controversy: His career is linked to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and sexual harassment allegations within the Victoria's Secret brand (leading to his eventual resignation).
• Philanthropy: He is a major donor to The Ohio State University (funding the Wexner Medical Center).

Les Wexner's strategic genius was his commitment to identifying niche markets (fast-fashion for young women with The Limited) and vertical integration (controlling design and manufacturing). His acquisition of Victoria's Secret in 1982 and subsequent transformation of the brand into a global phenomenon was his most structural contribution to retail. Under his leadership, L Brands became a colossal retail empire.

His career faced a major crisis in the 2010s due to his close association with Jeffrey Epstein and subsequent investigations into sexual harassment and a toxic work environment at Victoria's Secret. He stepped down as Chairman and CEO of L Brands in 2020 (coinciding with the sale of a majority stake in Victoria's Secret). The company was eventually broken up, and its assets monetized. His wealth is secured by the colossal liquid capital generated from his retail exits and the long-term appreciation of his stake in Bath & Body Works (which was spun off).

Les Wexner's social impact is structural, stemming from L Brands' role as a massive global employer and a foundational force in apparel and consumer goods retail. His profound philanthropic contribution is to The Ohio State University (donating over $100 million for the Wexner Medical Center) and Jewish education (funding the Wexner Foundation).

His structural contribution is tied to his belief in brand development and entrepreneurship, despite the controversies surrounding his business culture and political activities.

Les Wexner maintains the professional, composed style of a retail executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and immense corporate authority, typical of a leader in the global retail sector.

Residing in New Albany, Ohio, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to investment strategy, retail innovation, and philanthropy.