Jensen Huang has resigned as Nvidia’s chief executive officer, president and board member, ending his 33-year leadership of the artificial intelligence chipmaker. The company confirmed his departure on November 12, 2026, following reports of extramarital relationships and an investigation into possible Chinese intelligence involvement.
Nvidia appointed longtime chief financial officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while its board searches for a permanent successor. Huang’s departure comes at a critical time for the company, which has become central to the global artificial intelligence industry through its advanced graphics processors and data center technology.
Nvidia Confirms Jensen Huang’s Immediate Resignation
Nvidia announced that Huang had stepped down from all three leadership positions with immediate effect. A regulatory filing showed that the company’s board accepted his resignation on November 11, one day before the public announcement.
The board appointed Harvey C. Jones as Nvidia’s first independent chairman. Jones has served on the company’s board since 1993 and previously held senior leadership positions at Synopsys.
In its official announcement, Nvidia acknowledged Huang’s contributions to the company.
“Jensen’s contributions to NVIDIA are profound. NVIDIA is one of the most consequential technology companies in the world. The Board and the company thank Jensen for his immeasurable contributions to the company and the industry.”
The company did not provide a detailed explanation for his resignation in the announcement.
Affair Allegations Triggered National Security Concerns
Huang’s departure followed reports about his relationship with Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, a Chinese businesswoman associated with Singapore-based technology company Megaspeed International.
U.S. intelligence officials reportedly suspected Alice Huang of having connections to Chinese intelligence services. The allegations raised questions about whether sensitive information involving Nvidia or advanced semiconductor technology could have been compromised.
China has denied the espionage allegations. No public finding has established that Alice Huang acted as a Chinese intelligence agent.
On November 8, Nvidia’s board announced an independent investigation into reports that its founder had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.
The board stated that it had no reason to believe Nvidia’s confidential information or U.S. national security had been compromised, but said the investigation would examine all available evidence.
Jensen Huang Apologized to His Wife and Family
Before his resignation, Huang publicly acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife, Lori Huang.
In a statement released on November 8, he apologized to his family and Nvidia employees.
“I owe my family and all of you an apology. I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry.”
Huang and Lori met while studying electrical engineering at Oregon State University. They married in 1985 and have two adult children, Spencer and Madison.
Additional reporting also raised allegations concerning a relationship involving Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of healthcare. These disclosures increased scrutiny of Huang’s conduct and the company’s corporate governance.
Colette Kress Takes Over as Nvidia Interim CEO
Colette Kress, 59, has taken responsibility for leading Nvidia during the transition. She will continue serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer while holding the interim CEO position.
Kress joined Nvidia in September 2013 after working in senior finance positions at Cisco and Microsoft.
During her tenure, she helped oversee Nvidia’s financial operations as the company expanded its artificial intelligence and data center businesses.
In the company’s leadership announcement, Kress said:
“We will continue advancing the work that has made NVIDIA a leader in accelerated computing and AI, and execute on the opportunities ahead.”
The board said it would consider both internal and external candidates for the permanent chief executive position.
Nvidia Shares Fall Following Leadership Announcement
Nvidia shares declined sharply after Huang’s resignation became public. The stock fell more than 4% during Thursday’s trading session, reflecting investor concerns about the company’s leadership transition.
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 alongside Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem. Under his leadership, the company developed from a graphics chip manufacturer into one of the world’s most influential artificial intelligence technology businesses.
His departure also comes as Nvidia faces questions about its business relationships in China and restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports.
A November 13 investigation identified more than $3 billion in Chinese AI computing projects involving restricted Nvidia processors. The findings raised additional questions about chip export controls, although the projects were not linked to the allegations involving Huang.
What Happens Next for Nvidia?
Nvidia is scheduled to release its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on November 17, followed by an earnings conference call.
The company has said its operations, customer commitments and product development plans are expected to continue without interruption during the leadership transition.
The independent investigation remains ongoing, and the board has not announced when it expects to appoint a permanent chief executive.
As of November 13, 2026, Kress is serving as interim CEO, Jones is leading the board, and Huang no longer holds an executive or director position at the company.