Jensen Huang Resigns as Nvidia CEO Amid Allegations of Affairs
Jensen Huang has resigned from Nvidia amid allegations of extramarital affairs, affecting the company's stock and raising national security concerns.
NEW YORK, Nov 13: Jensen Huang has stepped down as the CEO of Nvidia, effective immediately, after reports of extramarital affairs surfaced. The decision follows a late-night board meeting and comes amidst scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers over national security risks associated with Huang’s alleged relationships.
The Nvidia board announced Huang’s resignation, appointing Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while searching for a permanent successor. Harvey C. Jones, the newly appointed board chair, expressed confidence in Kress and the leadership team, stating that operations would continue without interruption.
Huang, who co-founded Nvidia in 1993, admitted to being “unfaithful” to his wife, Lori. Reports indicated that one of his alleged affairs involved Alice Huang, an executive at cloud provider Megaspeed, suspected of ties to Chinese intelligence. The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence officials believe she may have been recruited to gather information on advanced AI technology.
A second report cited Huang’s involvement with Kimberly Powell, an Nvidia vice president who worked directly under him. Following these revelations, Nvidia’s board initiated an independent investigation to determine if any national security breaches occurred. However, they stated there is currently no evidence that company secrets were compromised.
In the wake of Huang’s resignation, many Nvidia employees expressed support for him, with some calling for his return. An internal suggestion box attracted over 1,600 comments urging the board to consider employee sentiment. One anonymous employee conveyed, “If you believe in the mission, bring back THE boss,” and another stated, “We are all humans and can make mistakes.”
The scandal has had financial repercussions for Nvidia, with the company’s stock dropping approximately 10% in premarket trading. In total, Nvidia has lost around $550 billion in market value over the past week as reports circulated about the allegations and their implications.
Lawmakers, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons, have demanded that Huang provide answers regarding the allegations and their potential impacts on national security. The Department of Justice has initiated inquiries related to Huang’s conduct and the possibility of espionage, although no conclusions have been reached yet.
While Huang’s departure marks a significant shift for Nvidia, the company maintains it will continue its trajectory in AI and accelerated computing without disruption.