Nvidia co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jensen Huang, has resigned amid controversy over his reported relationship with a Chinese businesswoman suspected of having links to Chinese intelligence.
The company announced his immediate departure on Thursday, November 12, 2026, naming Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while its board searches for a permanent successor.
Huang also relinquished his board position, ending a 33-year leadership tenure at the semiconductor giant he co-founded in 1993.
The announcement unsettled investors, with Nvidia shares falling sharply in early trading as markets reacted to the unexpected leadership change.
The controversy centres on Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman associated with Singapore-based cloud computing firm Megaspeed International, who US authorities reportedly suspect has links to Chinese intelligence. The allegations have not been independently established.
Megaspeed has separately faced scrutiny over suspected efforts to supply advanced Nvidia processors to Chinese customers in possible breach of US export restrictions.
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Further reports have raised questions about Huang’s alleged relationship with a senior Nvidia employee. Huang has acknowledged infidelity in his marriage, although the specific allegations surrounding the reported relationships remain unverified.
Nvidia’s board opened an independent investigation on Sunday, November 8, following reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. It said there was no reason to believe the company’s proprietary information or US national security interests had been compromised.
Huang, 63, transformed Nvidia from a graphics-chip manufacturer into a global leader in artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
Kress, who joined the company in September 2013, will retain her financial responsibilities while serving as interim chief executive.
The board has also appointed longtime director Harvey C. Jones as its first chairman.
Nvidia is scheduled to release its third-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.