Jensen Huang’s 33-year run as the face of Nvidia has ended in disgrace. The co-founder resigned as president, chief executive officer and board member after allegations of multiple extramarital affairs, including with a woman suspected by US officials of being a Chinese spy, left the company’s board with little choice but to act.
Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has taken over as interim CEO, inheriting the task of steadying a company that became the central supplier of chips powering the global AI boom under Huang’s leadership.
From AI titan to resignation
Jensen Huang, 63, co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and built it into one of the world’s most valuable technology companies. For years, he was the public face of the AI infrastructure boom, courting world leaders, shaping technology policy and drawing adoring crowds on international tours.
That image collapsed in late October, when reports emerged of his close relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based data-centre firm Megaspeed International. US officials have reportedly suspected her of spying for China, allegations the Chinese government has denied.
Huang initially denied infidelity. In one of his final interviews as CEO, he told Bloomberg News that his relationship with Alice Huang was typical of those with Chinese customers and executives.
Read more: Korean American Ex-Prosecutor to Lead Nvidia Probe Into Jensen Huang
“It was all completely normal and not unusual,” he said.
But the story escalated on Nov. 6, when the Financial Times reported, citing US officials, that the relationship had been romantic. Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter went to Huang’s home to confront him, and Huang confessed, according to Bloomberg.
Huang’s confession
Nvidia’s board subsequently engaged law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to investigate. On Nov. 8, Huang emailed employees, admitting that he had been unfaithful and apologising to his family and colleagues.
“I was unfaithful to my wife,” he said. “My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry.”
“I take full responsibility for what I did and the hurt I caused, and I accept the criticism that comes with it,” he added.
Huang also told staff that he had “fallen short” of his responsibility to serve them and be worthy of their trust.
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The scandal deepened on Nov. 11, when The New York Times reported that Huang had also had an extramarital relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare. The board met remotely late that night and, according to Bloomberg, left Huang with no choice but to resign.
Hours after his resignation was announced on Nov. 12, reports emerged alleging a third affair with an unnamed Nvidia employee.
People who have spoken with Huang in recent days told Bloomberg that his usual take-charge demeanour had disappeared. He had begun using phrases including: “whatever” and “I don’t care.”
They described him as remorseful, saying he had referred to himself as a “piece of sh*t”. They said he claimed not to care what happened to him, and that his main concern was his wife and ensuring that the lives of the women linked to him were not “ruined”.
Kress inherits the crisis
Kress moved quickly to reassure Nvidia’s shaken workforce after being named interim CEO. In an email reviewed by Bloomberg, she wrote:
“I believe deeply in this company and in its future.”
“More than anything, I believe in each of you, in our customers and partners and in the vital role we play every day in the global economy. The Board, staff and I recognize that this has been an extraordinarily difficult period and I want you to know how grateful we are for your resilience, professionalism and continued dedication. Thank you.”
She also said:
“Nvidia’s strength has always come from its people, and together with our leadership team, I am committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years.”
“We will continue advancing the work that has made Nvidia a leader in accelerated computing and AI, and execute on the opportunities ahead. Our focus remains on serving our customers, partners, developers and shareholders.”
Kress is expected to hold an all-hands meeting on Nov. 18, a day after Nvidia reports quarterly results.
The board must now find a permanent successor to a founder who was, for better or worse, inseparable from the company’s identity. Reports have suggested Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su and Arm Holdings CEO Rene Haas could be among those considered, though Nvidia has not confirmed a shortlist.
Read more: “I Was Unfaithful to My Wife”: Jensen Huang Admits Affair as Nvidia Probes Alleged Chinese Spy Plot
Huang is expected to testify before Congress, where lawmakers are likely to question him about his relationship with Alice Huang and whether it may have exposed Nvidia’s advanced chip technology to risk.
Nvidia chair Harvey Jones wrote in an email to employees after Huang’s departure:
“Jensen’s contributions to Nvidia are profound. Nvidia is one of the most consequential technology companies in the world.”
Huang is married to Lori Mills, his college sweetheart and former lab partner. The couple have two children, both of whom work at Nvidia.
