Leslie Herbert 'Les' Wexner is an American billionaire businessman, philanthropist, and retail magnate best known as the founder and long-time CEO of L Brands (formerly The Limited, Inc.), a global retail empire that revolutionized the mall experience in the United States with brands like Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Abercrombie & Fitch. Born on September 8, 1937, in Dayton, Ohio, to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents who operated a small clothing store, Wexner grew up in a modest environment and attended Ohio State University, graduating in 1959, before dropping out of further studies to launch his own retail venture in 1963 with a single store in Columbus, Ohio. Under his leadership, the company expanded rapidly into a multinational corporation, making Wexner one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and a major force in the fashion and lingerie industries. He stepped down as CEO in 2020 amid controversies but remains chair emeritus of Bath & Body Works.

Wexner is a prominent philanthropist, particularly in Jewish and Israeli causes, through the Wexner Foundation, which supports leadership development for Jewish professionals and public service initiatives. He has donated hundreds of millions to institutions like Ohio State University, Harvard University, and the United Jewish Appeal. A key figure in Columbus society, Wexner is the visionary behind the affluent master-planned community of New Albany, Ohio, where he resides. He has been married since 1993, with his wife as a partner in all major philanthropic and business endeavors. Politically, he has supported Republican causes and pro-Israel advocacy, with donations to groups like AIPAC. His net worth, primarily from L Brands stock, has fluctuated but remains in the billions, underscoring his enduring influence in retail, philanthropy, and networks of power.

Wexner's legacy has been significantly complicated by his close, decades-long financial and personal relationship with the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was his former primary client and financial manager. From the late 1980s until 2007, Epstein managed Wexner's billions, holding broad power of attorney over his assets, and reportedly used Wexner's wealth, planes, properties—including a Manhattan mansion and locations in New Albany, Ohio—and misappropriated $46 million from him to build his own status. Wexner severed ties with Epstein in 2007 after learning of his criminal activities, claiming Epstein stole from him, and has denied any knowledge of Epstein's abuses, though allegations persist that Epstein misused Wexner's resources for illicit purposes, including an allegation from a farmer that she was held against her will at his estate in Ohio. Wexner faced intense scrutiny following Epstein's 2019 arrest.

He has also faced criticism for his company's workplace culture at Victoria's Secret, including allegations of sexual harassment, misogyny, a toxic environment for models, and involvement of his longtime deputy Ed Razek.