Nvidia co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jensen Huang, has resigned with immediate effect following reports of two extramarital affairs that triggered controversy over his leadership and raised national security concerns.
The 63-year-old executive’s departure was announced on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by Nvidia’s board of directors. He has also stepped down as a member of the company’s board.
Nvidia’s Chief Financial Officer, Colette Kress, has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer while the company searches for a permanent replacement. The board also appointed former Synopsys chief executive Harvey Jones as its first-ever chairman.
Affairs Scandal Triggers Leadership Crisis at Nvidia
Pressure had been mounting on Huang following reports of two extramarital relationships, including one involving Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based cloud company Megaspeed.
US authorities reportedly suspect Alice Huang of having links to Chinese intelligence, although Beijing has rejected the allegations. The relationship prompted concerns about potential national security implications and whether Nvidia’s business operations could have been exposed to foreign intelligence activities.
The controversy intensified after reports emerged of a second alleged affair involving Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice-president of healthcare, who reportedly reported directly to Huang.
Nvidia’s board had initiated an independent investigation into reports that its chief executive may have been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. The board subsequently met on Wednesday to discuss his future at the company.
Colette Kress Appointed Interim CEO
Following Huang’s resignation, Nvidia appointed Colette Kress, the company’s long-serving Chief Financial Officer, as interim CEO.
Kress, who joined Nvidia in 2013, will retain her finance responsibilities while overseeing the company until a permanent successor is appointed.
Harvey Jones, a former Synopsys chief executive and Nvidia board member, was also named the company’s first-ever board chairman.
The leadership changes come at a critical period for Nvidia, which has become a central player in the global artificial intelligence industry through its advanced semiconductor chips.
Nvidia Shares Fall as Investors React
Nvidia shares dropped more than 12 per cent in early trading on Thursday following news of Huang’s departure, putting the company’s market value under pressure.
The development threatens to create uncertainty around the approximately $4 trillion technology giant and the wider artificial intelligence ecosystem that Huang helped build through investments in cloud providers, technology suppliers and AI companies.
Market observers have raised concerns about whether Nvidia can maintain its operational coordination and strategic direction without its longtime chief executive.
Trump and US Lawmakers React to Controversy
The scandal has also attracted attention in Washington, with US President Donald Trump previously describing Huang as an honourable man and saying he believed the Nvidia chief was unaware that Alice Huang was allegedly involved in Chinese intelligence activities.
Meanwhile, congressional leaders have called for investigations and further scrutiny of potential national security risks surrounding the reported relationships.
Huang’s departure marks a significant leadership change for Nvidia, which he co-founded in 1993 and transformed into one of the world’s most influential semiconductor and artificial intelligence companies.
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