Jensen Huang Resigns After Alleged Affairs Scandal
Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang has resigned as the company’s president and chief executive officer following intense scrutiny over reports of alleged extramarital relationships, including one involving a Chinese businesswoman suspected by US intelligence officials of being linked to espionage. https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-announces-ceo-transition
The technology company announced the leadership change on Thursday, November 12, 2026, confirming that Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress would take over as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent successor.
The development followed days of controversy surrounding Huang’s personal relationships, national security concerns and an independent investigation initiated by Nvidia’s board.
Huang admits infidelity as allegations emerge
The controversy intensified after reports linked Huang to Alice Huang, a former executive of Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed International.
According to reports, US intelligence officials suspect Alice Huang of having links to Chinese intelligence and allegedly using her relationship with the Nvidia chief to obtain information. These claims have not been independently established in public.
Huang subsequently acknowledged in a message to Nvidia employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife, apologising for hurting his family and colleagues.
He did not identify the person involved in the relationship in his message.
The New York Times also reported a second alleged relationship involving an Nvidia executive who reportedly worked under Huang. The publication cited sources familiar with the matter, but ABC News said it could not independently verify the report or the alleged video evidence mentioned in the account.
Nvidia launches independent investigation
On November 8, Nvidia announced that its board had initiated an independent investigation following reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort.
The investigation is being supervised by independent directors with assistance from external legal counsel.
The company said it had no reason to believe that national security or its confidential information had been compromised, but promised to examine all available information.
Huang had expressed support for the investigation and pledged to cooperate fully.
The allegations also attracted attention from US lawmakers, with members of the House Select Committee on China requesting a closed-door briefing from the Nvidia chief about his relationship with Alice Huang.
China’s government rejected the espionage allegations, describing them as baseless and defamatory.
Colette Kress appointed interim CEO
In its November 12 announcement, Nvidia confirmed that Huang’s resignation as president, CEO and board member took immediate effect.
Kress, who joined Nvidia in 2013 and has served as its executive vice president and chief financial officer, agreed to take over as interim chief executive while retaining her finance position.
The board also appointed longtime director Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever chairman and said it would consider both internal and external candidates for the permanent leadership position.
Nvidia said its operations, customer commitments and product development plans would continue without interruption during the transition.
Questions remain over Nvidia’s future
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and led the company for 33 years, overseeing its transformation into one of the world’s most influential technology businesses.
Its graphics processors have become essential to artificial intelligence development, making the company a major player in the global technology industry.
His departure therefore represents a significant leadership change at a time when demand for AI computing infrastructure remains central to Nvidia’s business.
Although the resignation followed the controversy, Nvidia’s public announcement did not explicitly state that the alleged relationships were the reason for his departure.
The independent investigation and outstanding questions about possible security implications remain important developments in the unfolding story.
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