Bernard Lewis & family

$2.74 B

Ranked #1499 in World

About Bernard Lewis & family

Bernard Lewis, the English entrepreneur and the innovative mind behind the esteemed River Island fashion brand and clothing chain, was born on February 10, 1926. Educated at the Jewish Free School and Northern Polytechnic Institute, Lewis honed his entrepreneurial skills early, assisting in his parents' greengrocer and serving in the RAF from 1944 to 1945. Venturing into the retail sector, he inaugurated his first fruit and vegetable shop in North London at the young age of 20 before delving into clothing retail in the late 1940s. His journey led to the foundation of Chelsea Girl in the 1970s, evolving into the powerhouse River Island, largely managed today by his nephew, Ben Lewis. With a formidable net worth of £1,030m as of 2015, making him 83rd on the Sunday Times Rich List, Lewis’s legacy in the fashion industry is monumental. His personal life saw partnerships with Jennifer Oldham, leading to a marriage in 1968 until her demise in 1975, followed by his marriage to Vanessa Bracey in 1981, with whom he has two sons, Sam and Jacob.

Born

February 10, 1926

Age

100 years

Source Of Wealth

Fashion Retailer

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

United Kingdom

Residence

London

Spouse

Vanessa Bracey (third wife)

Children

Bernard Lewis was born on 10 February 1926 in London, England. He received his education at the Jewish Free School and the Northern Polytechnic Institute. As a child, he assisted his parents in their greengrocer shop, where he gained valuable business skills. Lewis also served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1944 to 1945.

Bernard Lewis & family: Family

Bernard Lewis was married twice. His first marriage was to Jennifer Oldham (Jenny Meredith) in 1968, but she unfortunately passed away in 1975. In 1981, he married Vanessa Bracey, who had been a buyer for Chelsea Girl since 1970. They had been in a relationship since 1972 and have two sons together, Sam and Jacob.

Bernard Lewis & family: Career Highlights

Bernard Lewis's career in the fashion industry began when he opened his first fruit and vegetable shop in North London at the age of 20. He soon expanded into selling clothing, primarily blouses and skirts, and then dresses. His first clothing shop was located in Mare Street, Hackney.

In the 1970s, Lewis launched a chain of clothing stores called Chelsea Girl. He also founded Lewis Separates and the Lewis Trust Group with his brothers David and Geoffrey (who left the company in 1977). Today, River Island is run by his nephew, Ben Lewis.

Bernard Lewis & family: Companies

Bernard Lewis founded several companies throughout his career, including:

Chelsea Girl
Lewis Separates
Lewis Trust Group
River Island

Bernard Lewis & family: Major Achievements

Bernard Lewis's major achievements include:

Building River Island into a successful fashion brand and clothing chain.
Becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the United Kingdom.
Making significant contributions to the British fashion industry.

Bernard Lewis & family: Awards & Achievements

Bernard Lewis received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the fashion industry, including:

Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Westminster in 1996.

Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Fashion Council in 2003.
CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2006.

Bernard Lewis & family: Personal Life & Legacy

Bernard Lewis's personal life was marked by both success and tragedy. He was known for his close relationship with his elder son Leonard, who served as his "right-hand man" in the 1970s. However, Lewis also experienced the loss of his first wife, Jennifer Oldham, in 1975.

Lewis's legacy is one of entrepreneurship, innovation, and success in the fashion industry. He built River Island into a global brand and became one of the wealthiest individuals in the United Kingdom. His contributions to the British fashion industry have left a lasting impact.

Bernard Lewis & family: Trivia

Bernard Lewis was a keen golfer and a member of the Royal Automobile Club.
He was a supporter of the Labour Party and donated to their election campaigns.
Lewis was also a philanthropist and supported various charities, including the Jewish Free School and the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

Wealth History

Timeline

10 February 1926

Bernard Lewis is born.

1944-1945

Bernard Lewis serves in the RAF.

1940s

Bernard Lewis begins selling clothing, primarily blouses and skirts, then dresses.

1970s

Bernard Lewis launches a chain of clothing stores, later called Chelsea Girl.

1977

Bernard Lewis's brother Geoffrey leaves the Lewis Trust Group.

1981

Bernard Lewis marries Vanessa Bracey.

2015

Bernard Lewis is ranked 83rd on the Sunday Times Rich List.

Bernard Lewis & family : FAQs

What is Bernard Lewis's current net worth?

Bernard Lewis's current net worth is $2.74 billion.

What is Bernard Lewis's current global rank among billionaires?

Bernard Lewis holds the 1499th position globally among billionaires.

What is Bernard Lewis's current ranking within the United Kingdom?

Bernard Lewis holds the 27th position in United Kingdom.

What was the change in Bernard Lewis's net worth compared to the previous year?

Bernard Lewis's net worth increased by 1.22 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 1.53 billion dollars.

What are Bernard Lewis's main sources of wealth?

Bernard Lewis's main source of income comes from Fashion Retailer.

In which industry does Bernard Lewis primarily operate?

Bernard Lewis is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

How old is Bernard Lewis?

Bernard Lewis is 100 years old.

How many children does Bernard Lewis have?

Bernard Lewis has 3 children.

Who is Bernard Lewis and what is he famous for?

Bernard Lewis is an English entrepreneur renowned for being the founder of the River Island fashion brand and clothing chain.

What is Bernard Lewis's background in terms of education and early career?

Born on 10 February 1926, Bernard Lewis was educated at the Jewish Free School and Northern Polytechnic Institute. He assisted his parents in a greengrocer as a child and served in the RAF from 1944 to 1945. He opened his first fruit and vegetable shop in North London at age 20 and later transitioned into selling clothing.

How did Bernard Lewis transition from selling food to creating a fashion empire?

Bernard Lewis started his career by opening a fruit and vegetable shop but then began selling clothing in the 1940s, starting with blouses and skirts, then dresses. His entrepreneurial journey led him to launch a chain of clothing stores, later called Chelsea Girl in the 1970s, eventually evolving into the River Island brand.

What significant business achievements has Bernard Lewis accomplished throughout his career?

Throughout his career, Bernard Lewis founded Lewis Separates, the Lewis Trust Group with his brothers, and the globally recognized brand, River Island. His net worth was estimated at £1,030m, landing him the 83rd spot on the Sunday Times Rich List in 2015. River Island is now run by his nephew, Ben Lewis.

Can you describe Bernard Lewis's personal family life?

Bernard Lewis's right-hand man in the 1970s was his elder son Leonard from his first marriage. He married Jennifer Oldham in 1968, who passed away in 1975. Later, he married Vanessa Bracey in 1981, who had been a buyer for Chelsea Girl since 1970; the couple has been in a relationship since 1972 and has two sons, Sam and Jacob.