Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s trademark confidence reportedly crumbled this week as mounting allegations about his personal relationships — including an alleged affair with a woman accused of being a Chinese spy — threatened to cost him his job.
By Wednesday, during what were reportedly his final hours leading the chipmaker, which he helped transform into a $4 trillion powerhouse, Huang had begun repeatedly using phrases such as “whatever” and “I don’t care.” He also reportedly referred to himself as a “piece of s–t,” Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
It marked a dramatic fall from grace for the billionaire and one of the most recognizable figures in the artificial intelligence boom. Huang had repeatedly dismissed allegations surrounding his relationship with Alice Huang, an executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed who is not related to him, insisting that their connection was strictly professional. Alice Huang has been linked to a US Justice Department investigation into an alleged Nvidia chip-smuggling scheme.
A photograph shows suspected Chinese spy Alice Huang (left) alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
After media reports alleged that Huang’s relationship with Alice Huang was romantic rather than professional, Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter reportedly rushed to the CEO’s home to confront him. Huang allegedly admitted to the relationship, according to Bloomberg and The Information.
Nvidia’s board was reportedly hesitant to take action, but Teter pushed directors to issue a public announcement.
On Wednesday, The New York Times reported that Huang had allegedly been involved in a second affair, this time with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare.
The company’s board subsequently convened an emergency late-night meeting, where Huang was reportedly forced to step down as CEO.
On Thursday, Reuters reported another alleged affair involving a third Nvidia employee whose identity has not been disclosed.
Meanwhile, The Information reported that Huang had hired Paul Weiss, one of the country’s leading law firms, as the allegations continued to emerge.
According to the publication, Huang said he was unconcerned about what might happen to him personally, adding that his biggest concern was his wife and avoiding “ruining the lives” of the multiple women now linked to the scandal.
Just months earlier, Nvidia was riding high. Its shares reached a record peak in October, while Huang’s personal fortune climbed above $200 billion, according to Forbes.
The billionaire had also cultivated a close relationship with President Donald Trump and become something of a celebrity in his native Taiwan.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reportedly resigned on Thursday following a series of allegations that sent shockwaves through the company.
The controversy began brewing in late October, when The New York Times reported that Huang had been caught up in an alleged Chinese espionage plot involving Alice Huang, a Singapore-based executive.
Days later, the Financial Times revealed that a previously undisclosed government memo, prepared months earlier, had concluded that the pair’s relationship was romantic rather than purely professional.
Jensen Huang is pictured with his wife, Lori. The Nvidia CEO reportedly apologized to his family after allegations of multiple affairs emerged and ultimately led to his departure from the company.
On Sunday, Nvidia’s board announced it would launch an investigation into the reports.
The company appointed Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to lead the probe. The prominent law firm previously investigated sexual harassment allegations involving former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
That same day, Huang sent an email to Nvidia employees in which he reportedly acknowledged the affair and apologized to shareholders and business partners.
He also issued an apology to his family.
Huang has been married to his wife, Lori, for more than 40 years. The couple’s two children and son-in-law also work at Nvidia.
Behind closed doors, Huang reportedly assured the company’s senior executives that his relationship with Alice Huang was his only instance of marital infidelity, according to Bloomberg.
However, subsequent reports surfaced alleging two additional affairs, both involving female Nvidia executives.
Nvidia’s interim CEO, Colette Kress, is now facing the challenge of leading the chipmaker following Jensen Huang’s reported departure.
Huang, who co-founded Nvidia 33 years ago, maintained an unusually hands-on management style. He reportedly oversaw 60 direct reports, played a significant role in daily operations and was involved in decisions as minor as setting compensation for junior employees.
The billionaire was also known for responding to emails almost immediately, regardless of the time of day or night. However, his response times had reportedly begun to slow, Bloomberg reported.
Huang’s tight grip on the company is believed to be one reason investors grew concerned about Nvidia’s future without him. The uncertainty triggered a sell-off that wiped more than $450 billion from the chipmaker’s market value.
Despite the mounting controversy, Huang has continued to receive support from some prominent figures.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced his support for the Nvidia co-founder since the first allegations emerged.
Most recently, Trump told Stephen A. Smith on Thursday that Huang should only leave his position if Alice Huang was indeed a Chinese spy. Trump added that the billionaire was “going through hell” and was particularly concerned about the impact on his wife and family.
Meanwhile, Huang is preparing for another major development: testimony before Congress.
He has agreed to meet with the chairs of the House committees overseeing China, foreign affairs and intelligence in a joint, closed-door session before lawmakers leave Washington for the Thanksgiving recess next Friday.
