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Leslie Wexner

(1937-)

Leslie "Les" H. Wexner is a businessman from Columbus, Ohio, and currently chairman and CEO of the Limited Brands Corporation. In 1963, after helping his parents, who were Russian Jewish immigrants, run their clothing store in suburban Columbus, Wexner borrowed $5,000 from his aunt to start 'The Limited' (so named because the store focused on clothing for younger women, unlike his parents' store). The Limited opened its first store in the Kingsdale Shopping Center in Upper Arlington. Wexner's parents closed their store one year later in 1964, and joined their son at The Limited. Wexner took Limited Brands public in 1969. (LTD on the NYSE)

Over the years he built a large retailing empire, which currently includes: The Limited, Victoria's Secret, Express, Bath & Body Works, Henri Bendel, C.O. Bigelow, and The White Barn Candle Company among others.

Wexner was recently recognized as the wealthiest man in the state of Ohio. He is well known for his philanthropy, which is often in support of Jewish projects. He serves as Honorary Vice Chairman of the Board of Congregation Aguda Achim and was a major contributor to the Wexner Center for the Arts, the name of which is actually intended to honor his father. In 1984, Wexner established the Wexner Foundation, which runs both a Graduate Fellowship and an Israel Fellowship Program.


Sources: Wikipedia, Wexner Foundation