Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang has resigned as chief executive officer following revelations about extramarital relationships and concerns about possible foreign intelligence activity. The semiconductor company announced his departure Thursday, November 12, 2026, and appointed longtime chief financial officer Colette Kress as interim CEO.
Huang, 63, also resigned as Nvidia's president and a member of its board of directors, ending 33 years of leadership at the company he helped establish in 1993. His departure follows reports about relationships with several women, including a businesswoman suspected by U.S. intelligence officials of having connections to China.
Nvidia has launched an independent investigation into the security concerns but has not announced evidence that confidential information was compromised. The board is searching for a permanent replacement while Kress oversees the company's operations.
Huang Apologized Before His Resignation
On November 8, Huang issued a statement to Nvidia employees acknowledging that he had been unfaithful to his wife. He apologized to his family, colleagues and shareholders, taking responsibility for his actions and the damage they had caused.
"I was unfaithful to my wife," Huang wrote in the message published on Nvidia's official website. He acknowledged hurting his wife and children and said he hoped to regain their trust.
Huang also addressed the national security concerns that had emerged in news reports. He promised to cooperate with the company's independent investigation and emphasized his commitment to protecting Nvidia and American national security.
At the time, Huang indicated that he intended to remain with the company and rebuild confidence in his leadership. However, Nvidia's board accepted his resignation on November 11, and the company publicly announced the decision the following morning.
Nvidia's official announcement did not identify a specific reason for his departure. The board thanked Huang for his contributions and expressed confidence that the company's existing leadership team could maintain business operations.
Alleged Chinese Intelligence Connection Draws Scrutiny
The controversy includes Huang's reported relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman previously associated with Singapore-based technology company Megaspeed. The company was an Nvidia cloud partner, a designation that provided access to Nvidia technology during a period of strong demand for advanced chips.
U.S. intelligence officials have reportedly suspected Alice Huang of working on behalf of Chinese intelligence. However, the allegations remain unproven, and Chinese authorities have denied that she was involved in espionage.
Reuters reported that U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the allegations Thursday, saying the Justice Department had not determined whether Alice Huang was a Chinese spy. He confirmed that the FBI was investigating reports about possible activities on behalf of the Chinese government.
Singaporean authorities also provided information about an investigation involving Alice Huang. The country's Home Affairs Ministry said she left Singapore in February and was subsequently barred from returning, but emphasized that its investigation did not concern espionage.
The allegations have attracted attention because Nvidia supplies advanced processors used in artificial intelligence systems and data centers worldwide. Some of those products are subject to U.S. export restrictions intended to prevent sensitive technology from reaching foreign military or intelligence organizations.
Nvidia's board announced an independent review on November 8 after reports suggested that Huang may have been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. The directors stated that they had no reason to believe national security or company secrets had been compromised, although they intended to examine the available information.
Reports of Other Relationships Add to Controversy
The questions surrounding Huang's conduct expanded after reports of relationships involving Nvidia employees. Reuters reported November 12 that Huang had an intimate relationship with another employee, citing two people familiar with the matter.
The news organization also identified Nvidia healthcare executive Kimberly Powell in its reporting about Huang's personal relationships. Nvidia declined to comment on the additional allegations, and Reuters said attempts to obtain responses from several people involved were unsuccessful.
Relationships between senior executives and employees can raise questions about workplace policies, conflicts of interest and corporate governance. However, Nvidia has not publicly released findings establishing that Huang violated a specific workplace rule.
On November 10, independent Nvidia directors announced that they had retained former acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim and the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct the investigation. The company has not announced when the review will be completed or whether its findings will become public.
Colette Kress Takes Over as Interim CEO
Nvidia's board appointed Colette Kress as interim chief executive following Huang's resignation. Kress, 59, will continue serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer while directors consider internal and external candidates for the permanent position.
Kress joined Nvidia in September 2013 and has helped manage the company's financial operations through an extraordinary period of growth. Before joining the chipmaker, she held senior finance positions at several major technology companies, including Microsoft, Cisco and Texas Instruments.
Her experience gives Nvidia an established executive during a period of uncertainty, although running the entire company involves responsibilities beyond financial management. Kress will oversee business operations, strategic decisions and relationships with customers while the board conducts its search.
The company also appointed Harvey C. Jones as its first chairman of the board. Jones has served as a Nvidia director since 1993 and previously held senior leadership positions at semiconductor design company Synopsys.
Jones expressed confidence in Kress and the existing management team, saying Nvidia expected its customer commitments and product development plans to continue without interruption. Kress also pledged to build on the company's existing foundation while maintaining its focus on artificial intelligence and accelerated computing.
Huang's Departure Creates Uncertainty for Nvidia
Huang founded Nvidia in 1993 alongside Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem, initially focusing on graphics processing technology for personal computers. The company's processors became popular in gaming before researchers discovered that they could also handle demanding scientific and artificial intelligence calculations.
That shift transformed Nvidia into a major supplier of computing technology for AI development. Its processors now power data centers used by technology companies building advanced language models, research systems and other computing applications.
Huang became closely associated with Nvidia's growth, regularly introducing new products and explaining the company's technology strategy to investors and customers. His departure removes a leader who helped guide the business from its earliest years into its position as a major force in the global semiconductor industry.
The leadership change also affected financial markets, with Nvidia shares experiencing substantial volatility Thursday. The stock closed at $166.19, down 4.34% from the previous session, after falling much further during earlier trading.
Investors must now assess whether Nvidia can maintain its market position without the executive who shaped much of its long-term strategy. The company also faces competition from other semiconductor manufacturers, questions about AI infrastructure spending and continuing restrictions on advanced chip exports.
Congress and Federal Investigators Examine Security Concerns
The controversy has drawn attention from lawmakers concerned about possible foreign intelligence activity involving an important American technology company. The FBI is investigating reports about Alice Huang, although federal officials have emphasized that her alleged intelligence connections have not been established.
President Donald Trump also addressed the resignation Thursday, saying the question of whether Alice Huang was a spy remained unresolved. He suggested that the circumstances surrounding Huang's departure might be viewed differently depending on what investigators ultimately determine.
The investigation is separate from Nvidia's search for a permanent chief executive. The board remains responsible for choosing Huang's replacement, while outside legal advisers examine the allegations involving his conduct and potential security concerns.
Nvidia is scheduled to report its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on November 17, followed by a conference call with analysts and investors. The announcement will provide an early opportunity for Kress to address the company's financial performance and direction following Huang's departure.
The company has not announced a timetable for selecting its next permanent CEO. Its independent investigation also remains unfinished, leaving important questions about the reported relationships and potential security implications unresolved.