Bloomberg Billionaires Index

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# 303 Les Wexner $11.5B

Random fact: Bought Victoria's Secret store and catalogue for $1 million in 1982.

Overview

Wexner is the founder of L Brands, the former co-owner of around 2,700 women's apparel and beauty stores. The Columbus, Ohio-based changed its name to Bath & Body Works in 2021 when it spun-off its Victoria's Secret chain. Bath & Body Works reported revenue of $7.3 billion in the year to Feb. 2, 2025.

As of :
Last change +$67.0M ( +0.6%)
YTD change +$1.26B ( +12.3%)
Biggest asset Cash
Country / Region United States
Age 88
Industry Retail
View net worth over:   Max 1 year 1 quarter 1 month 1 week

Net Worth Summary

Cash
Private asset
Public asset
Misc. liabilities
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Confidence rating:

The majority of Wexner's fortune is derived from the proceeds of investments in L Brands, the retailer that changed its name to Bath & Body Works in 2021. L Brands had about 2,700 company-owned stores prior to its re-organization, according to its website.

Wexner controls a 1.5% stake in AI computing company CoreWeave through Linden West Trust, according to a November 2025 13G filing.

The value of his cash investments is based on an analysis of dividends, insider transactions, taxes, philanthropic giving and market performance. The cash calculation was adjusted in July 2025 to better reflect charitable activities and other spending and this led to a decrease in the valuation of about $5 billion.

Tammy Roberts Myers, a spokeswoman for Wexner, declined to comment on the billionaire's net worth.

Biography

Education: Ohio State University

Leslie Wexner was born to Russian immigrants on Sept. 8, 1937 in Dayton, Ohio. They owned and ran Leslie's, a small shop in downtown Columbus. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1959, and served in the Air National Guard, according to a biography on the company's website. After that, he worked at the family's shop.

Wexner started Limited Brands in 1963 as a single store in the Kingsdale Shopping Center in Columbus. It had sales of $160,000 in its first year. He started the business as a specialty retailer focusing on apparel and grew annual sales to more than $13 billion in 2019. The company, now known as L Brands, also sells lingerie and beauty products.

The billionaire vacated his position as chairman of L Brands in 2020. In the same year, the company sold a controlling stake in Victoria's Secret to Sycamore Partners.

Wexner has four children with his wife, Abigail.

Milestones
  • 1937 Leslie H. Wexner is born in Dayton, Ohio.
  • 1959 Graduates from the Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree.
  • 1963 The Limited opens its first store in Kingsdale Mall in Columbus, Ohio.
  • 1969 Sells shares in an initial public offering at $7.25 a share.
  • 1982 Buys Victoria's Secret store and catalog for $1 million.
  • 1985 Acquires Lerner 798 stores and one Henri Bendel boutique.
  • 1990 First Bath & Body Works store opens in Boston.
  • 2011 Donates $100 million to the Ohio State University.

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