<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-03-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000701985</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LIMITED BRANDS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LTD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000901359</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WEXNER LESLIE H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LIMITED BRANDS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>THREE LIMITED PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>COLUMBUS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43216</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001250041</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WEXNER ABIGAIL S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LIMITED BRANDS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>THREE LIMITED PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>COLUMBUS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43216</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Shares</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-03-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>271620</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2012-03-31</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-03-31</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>271620</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>271620</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The performance condition of a performance-based restricted stock award (&quot;Restricted Shares&quot;) previously granted to Leslie H.
 Wexner (&quot;Mr. Wexner&quot;) by the Issuer was satisfied on March 1, 2010, and then the Restricted Shares vest generally based on
 his continued employment. The Restricted Shares confer no voting rights and may not be sold until they automatically settle
 for an equivalent number of shares of common stock of the Issuer on the vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Restricted Shares vest on March 31, 2012, subject earlier forfeiture or acceleration.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Not applicable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Owned by Mr. Wexner directly. Owned by Abigail S. Wexner (&quot;Mrs. Wexner&quot;) indirectly, through Mr. Wexner. Mrs. Wexner
 disclaims beneficial ownership of all such indirectly owned securities in excess of her pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Exhibit 99.1:  Joint Filer Information, incorporated herein by reference.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Leslie H. Wexner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-03-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
