The shimmering runway lights of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show once dazzled the world, supermodels gliding in million-dollar fantasy bras while billions watched in awe. Behind the glamour stood Leslie Wexner, the quiet billionaire who built an empire—and quietly handed Jeffrey Epstein the keys to his fortune.
For nearly two decades, Epstein wasn’t just a financial advisor; he was Wexner’s most trusted confidant. Epstein managed billions in assets, lived in Wexner’s New York mansion, flew on his jet, and even held power of attorney over the L Brands founder’s wealth. Wexner later called it his “greatest mistake,” but the money flowed freely—hundreds of millions allegedly funneled through Epstein’s shadowy accounts.
How deep did the ties really go? Why did one of America’s richest men trust a man with no formal credentials so completely—long after red flags waved?
The answers may rewrite the story of Victoria’s Secret’s golden era.
The shimmering runway lights of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show once dazzled the world, supermodels gliding in million-dollar fantasy bras while billions watched in awe. Behind the glamour stood Leslie Wexner, the quiet billionaire who built an empire—and quietly handed Jeffrey Epstein the keys to his fortune.
For nearly two decades, from the mid-1980s until 2007, Epstein wasn’t just a financial advisor; he was Wexner’s most trusted confidant. Wexner, founder of L Brands (formerly The Limited), which owned Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and other retail giants, met Epstein through mutual connections. Despite Epstein lacking formal credentials in high finance—having dropped out of college and worked briefly at Bear Stearns—he quickly gained extraordinary control. In 1991, Wexner granted Epstein power of attorney, a sweeping legal document allowing him to hire people, sign checks, buy and sell properties, borrow money, sign tax returns, and act with “full power and authority” on Wexner’s behalf. Epstein managed billions in assets, lived in Wexner’s New York City mansion (which he later acquired for $20 million in a transaction some describe as a gift), used Wexner’s private jet, helped design his yacht, and resided on Wexner’s Ohio estate.
Hundreds of millions allegedly flowed through Epstein’s accounts, with Wexner later claiming Epstein misappropriated “vast sums” from him and his family—partially recovered via a $47 million donation Epstein made to the Wexner Foundation in 2008. Wexner called the trust he placed in Epstein his “greatest mistake,” stating in a 2019 letter to his foundation that he was “embarrassed” and “deceived” by someone “so sick, so cunning, so depraved.” He severed ties in 2007 (though some documents suggest contacts continued into 2008) after learning of Epstein’s misconduct investigations.
How deep did the ties really go? Why did one of America’s richest men—worth billions through retail dominance—trust a man with no traditional Wall Street pedigree so completely, even as red flags emerged? Advisers reportedly warned Wexner that Epstein was untrustworthy—“a rat,” one allegedly said—yet he ignored them, distancing himself from longtime associates as Epstein’s influence grew. Epstein used his Victoria’s Secret connection to pose as a talent scout, allegedly luring models with false promises and attempting assaults, as detailed in victim accounts and reports.
The answers may rewrite the story of Victoria’s Secret’s golden era. The brand’s fantasy image masked darker associations: Epstein’s access enabled exploitation under the guise of modeling opportunities. Wexner has denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, insisting he was unaware of the sex trafficking that later defined Epstein’s legacy. Recent developments—including 2025-2026 DOJ file releases mentioning Wexner in emails, bank records, and investigations, plus a congressional subpoena for his February 2025 deposition—keep questions alive about the full scope of their relationship and any overlooked financial or personal entanglements.
Wexner stepped down from L Brands in 2020 amid scrutiny, but the shadow lingers. The glittering runways symbolized empowerment and allure, yet behind them lay a web of unchecked trust, vast wealth transfer, and unanswered questions about complicity or blindness. Epstein’s crimes exposed how power and money can blind even the most successful to danger. For victims, the glamour of Victoria’s Secret’s past now carries a chilling footnote—one that demands accountability beyond regret.
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