Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns amid affairs and suspected Chinese espionage scandal
Jensen Huang has resigned as CEO of Nvidia, the American chipmaking giant at the center of the global artificial intelligence boom, following revelations about two alleged extramarital affairs, including one involving a woman suspected by U.S. intelligence officials of working for China.
Nvidia's board announced his departure on November 12, according to the BBC. Colette Kress, the company's executive vice president and chief financial officer, has been appointed interim CEO.
“Jensen's contributions to Nvidia are profound,” the board said in a statement, thanking him for his “immeasurable contributions to the company and the industry.”
Kress said Nvidia would continue serving its customers and pursuing opportunities in accelerated computing and AI.
Huang, 63, co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and led its transformation into one of the world's most valuable companies. Its advanced chips power AI systems used by major technology firms around the world.
His departure follows an investigation into his relationship with Alice Huang, an executive associated with Singapore-based data center company Megaspeed, a major Nvidia customer.
According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. intelligence officials suspect Alice Huang of working for Chinese intelligence services. The allegations have not been established in court, and Beijing has denied the spying claims.
Megaspeed has also faced U.S. scrutiny over suspicions that advanced Nvidia chips were being diverted to Chinese companies in violation of American export restrictions.
On November 8, Jensen Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife in a letter to Nvidia employees and apologized for violating his family's and colleagues' trust. He did not publicly identify the woman involved.
A separate report by The New York Times alleged that Huang had also been involved in a relationship with a senior Nvidia executive. The Wall Street Journal identified her as Kimberly Powell, who leads Nvidia's healthcare business.
The reports intensified pressure on Nvidia's board, which had been investigating the circumstances surrounding Huang's relationship with Alice Huang.
The scandal also attracted attention in Washington, where lawmakers have sought answers about whether sensitive American technology or information could have been compromised.
Nvidia previously said it had no reason to believe company secrets or national security had been compromised.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who developed a close relationship with Huang as his administration shaped policy on advanced chip exports to China, defended the executive earlier this week, describing him as an “honorable man.”
Nvidia shares fell sharply as the controversy unfolded, with the company's market value declining by hundreds of billions of dollars.
Huang's departure leaves Nvidia facing a major leadership transition. The company has played a central role in the AI boom, while its technology and exports have become increasingly important in the strategic competition between Washington and Beijing.