History of Les Wexner in Timeline

Leslie Wexner is an American billionaire businessman, best known as the driving force behind the Limited Brands empire, which included retail giants like Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Abercrombie & Fitch and La Senza. As chairman emeritus, Wexner shaped the landscape of American retail for decades through innovative marketing and merchandise strategies. Beyond his business ventures, Wexner has also been involved in philanthropy and political activism, solidifying his position as a notable figure in both the business and public spheres.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1908: Bella Cabakoff Born

In 1908, Bella Cabakoff, who would become Les Wexner's mother, was born.

September 8, 1937: Leslie Wexner Born

On September 8, 1937, Leslie Herbert Wexner was born. He later became a billionaire businessman and political activist, co-founding Bath & Body Works, Inc. and playing a principal role in Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria's Secret, and La Senza.

1953: Wexner Wins Award for Essay

In 1953, Les Wexner won a minor award for his essay titled "Why I Love and Respect Judaism", which was published in the Ohio Jewish Chronicle.

1959: Wexner Graduates from Ohio State University

In 1959, Les Wexner graduated from Ohio State University with a major in business administration.

August 10, 1963: Opening of the First 'The Limited' Store

On August 10, 1963, Les Wexner opened the first 'The Limited' store in the Kingsdale Shopping Center in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

August 1964: Opening of Second 'The Limited' store.

In August 1964, Les Wexner opened the second 'The Limited' store.

1969: Limited Brands Goes Public

In 1969, Limited Brands, founded by Les Wexner, went public and was listed as LTD on the NYSE.

1972: Robert H. Morosky Buys Stock in The Limited

In 1972, Robert H. Morosky bought stock in The Limited and became Vice Chairman of the Board.

1975: Death of Harry Louis Wexner

In 1975, Harry Louis Wexner, the father of Les Wexner, passed away.

1976: Opening of the 100th Store

In 1976, Les Wexner opened the 100th store of The Limited.

1978: Purchase of Mast Industries

In 1978, Les Wexner took on significant debt to purchase Mast Industries.

1982: Acquisition of Lane Bryant and Victoria's Secret

In 1982, Les Wexner purchased Lane Bryant and Victoria's Secret.

1985: Arthur L. Shapiro Represented The Limited

In 1985, Arthur L. Shapiro, a lawyer, was assigned to represent The Limited account.

1986: Wexner Joins Banc One Board

In 1986, Les Wexner joined the board of directors of Banc One.

1987: Wexner Hires Jeffrey Epstein as Financial Manager

In 1987, Les Wexner hired Jeffrey Epstein as his financial manager.

1987: Wexner Hires Jeffrey Epstein

In 1987, Les Wexner retained Jeffrey Epstein as his financial manager.

1987: Robert Morosky Resigns

In 1987, Robert Morosky resigned as Vice Chairman of The Limited's board.

1988: Wexner Joins OSU Board of Trustees

In 1988, Les Wexner began his service on the Board of Trustees of Ohio State University.

1989: Wexner Purchases New York Property

In 1989, Les Wexner purchased his New York property, the Herbert N. Straus House.

July 1991: Wexner Grants Epstein Power of Attorney

In July 1991, Les Wexner granted Jeffrey Epstein power of attorney and appointed him as a trustee on the board of the Wexner Foundation.

1991: Formation of the Mega Group

In 1991, Les Wexner and Charles Bronfman co-founded the Mega Group, comprising wealthy businessmen aimed at influencing US foreign policy in the Middle East and maintaining ties with Israeli intelligence.

1991: Wexner Serves on Banc One Board

In 1991, Les Wexner was still serving on the board of directors of Banc One.

1992: Victoria's Secret Valued at $1 Billion

By 1992, Victoria's Secret, acquired by Les Wexner in 1982, was worth an estimated $1 billion.

January 23, 1993: Wexner Married Abigail S. Koppel

On January 23, 1993, Les Wexner married Abigail S. Koppel, who was an attorney at the time. They later had four children together.

1993: Wexner Hires Len Schlesinger

In 1993, Les Wexner hired Len Schlesinger as an advisor, who was later appointed as a company director.

1996: Cocaine Found on Southern Air Transport Plane

In 1996, Customs agents found a hidden shipment of cocaine on a Southern Air Transport plane, an organization that Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein were involved with for transporting goods related to Wexner's businesses.

1996: Maria Farmer Reports Assault

In 1996, Maria Farmer contacted authorities about an assault she allegedly endured by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell while working on Les Wexner's Ohio property.

1997: Wexner's Term Ends on OSU Board

In 1997, Les Wexner's term on the Board of Trustees of Ohio State University ended.

1998: Southern Air Shut Down

In 1998, Southern Air Transport was shut down after Les Wexner had received federal aid for the relocation of the airline, just weeks before the CIA Inspector General released its official findings on Contra cocaine trafficking allegations.

2001: Death of Bella Wexner

In 2001, Bella Wexner née Cabakoff, the mother of Les Wexner, passed away.

2002: Wexner on Hollinger International Board

Until 2002, Les Wexner served on the Board of Directors of Hollinger International with Henry Kissinger.

2003: Mega Group Hires Frank Luntz

In 2003, the Mega Group, founded by Les Wexner and Charles Bronfman, hired Frank Luntz as a consultant to mobilize support for Israel.

May 11, 2004: Wexner Receives Woodrow Wilson Award

On May 11, 2004, Les Wexner received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship.

December 2005: Wexner Appointed to Second Term on OSU Board

In December 2005, Les Wexner was appointed to his second term on the Board of Trustees of Ohio State University.

2005: Death of Berry Kessler

In 2005, Berry Kessler, the main suspect in Arthur Shapiro's murder, died in prison.

2006: Epstein Charged in Florida

In early 2006, Jeffrey Epstein was charged in Florida with "multiple counts of molestation and unlawful sexual activity with a minor."

2007: Wexner Ends Relationship with Epstein

In 2007, Les Wexner ended his professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, who had served as his financial manager since 1987.

2007: End of Wexner-Epstein Financial Relationship

Les Wexner's professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein ended in 2007, after Epstein had served as Wexner's financial manager since 1987.

2009: Wexner Elected Chair of OSU Board

In 2009, Les Wexner was elected chair of Ohio State University Board of Trustees.

May 7, 2010: Wexner Inducted as Honorary Member of Sphinx Senior Class

On May 7, 2010, Les Wexner was inducted as an honorary member of the 104th Sphinx Senior Class at Ohio State University.

February 16, 2011: Wexner Pledges Donation to Ohio State

On February 16, 2011, Les Wexner pledged a donation of $100 million to Ohio State University.

February 10, 2012: Ohio State University Medical Center Renamed

On February 10, 2012, the Ohio State University Medical Center was renamed the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. This commemorated Les Wexner's leadership and support of the university for over 30 years.

June 2012: Wexner's Chairmanship Ends

In June 2012, it was announced that Les Wexner's chairmanship of the Ohio State University Board of Trustees would end eight years before his term expired.

2012: Wexner Named Longest-Serving CEO

In 2012, Les Wexner was described by CNN Money as the longest-serving CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

2015: Wexner Ranked in Harvard Business Review's Top CEOs

In 2015, Les Wexner was ranked number 11 in Harvard Business Review's Top 100 Best Performing CEOs in the World.

2016: Wexner Ranked in Harvard Business Review's Top CEOs

In 2016, Les Wexner was ranked number 34 in Harvard Business Review's Top 100 Best Performing CEOs in the World.

February 2018: End of the Annual New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix

In February 2018, Abigail Wexner announced the end of the Annual New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix & Family Day, an equestrian show, after 20 years, citing the growing number of equestrian competitions.

July 2019: Wexner Included on Epstein's "Co-Conspirators" List

In July 2019, Les Wexner was included on a list of Jeffrey Epstein's "10 co-conspirators" within an FBI email.

August 2019: Wexner Addresses Wexner Foundation

In August 2019, Les Wexner addressed the Wexner Foundation, stating that Jeffrey Epstein had "misappropriated vast sums of money" from him and his family.

February 2020: Wexner Transitions from CEO

In February 2020, Les Wexner announced he was transitioning from CEO of L Brands to the role of chair emeritus.

January 14, 2021: Shareholders File Complaint Against Wexner

On January 14, 2021, L Brands shareholders filed a complaint stating that Les Wexner created a culture of misogyny, bullying, and harassment, and was aware of abuses by Jeffrey Epstein.

July 30, 2021: L Brands Agrees to Settlement

On July 30, 2021, L Brands agreed to a $90 million settlement to resolve derivative lawsuits related to claims of misconduct and abuses.

2025: Passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act

Following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in 2025, Les Wexner faced additional public scrutiny.

January 2026: Wexner Subpoenaed by US House Oversight Committee

In January 2026, Les Wexner was subpoenaed by the US House Oversight Committee of Congress to sit for a deposition.

February 10, 2026: Les Wexner Named as Unindicted Co-Conspirator

On February 10, 2026, Representative Ro Khanna stated that the FBI had named Les Wexner as an unindicted co-conspirator.

February 11, 2026: Wexner Ordered to Attend Deposition

On February 11, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson denied Wexner's motion to quash a subpoena. Wexner was ordered to attend a deposition regarding abuses by former Ohio State University staff physician Richard Strauss.