New Delhi: Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang has resigned as the company’s president and chief executive amid a growing controversy involving allegations of links to a suspected Chinese spy and reports of an additional extramarital affair with a company subordinate.
Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has been appointed interim CEO. She will continue in her finance role while Nvidia’s board searches for a permanent successor. Huang has also stepped down from the company’s board with immediate effect.
The board is considering both internal and external candidates for the leadership position. The decision follows mounting pressure on Huang, 63, after reports of a second alleged relationship with an employee who reportedly reported directly to him. The board had reportedly met to discuss his future.
The controversy intensified following allegations that Alice Huang, a woman suspected of having links to Chinese intelligence, had maintained a close relationship with the Nvidia chief and passed information to Beijing. Nvidia has launched an internal investigation to examine the available evidence, while the FBI is also looking into the matter.
US President Donald Trump said Huang had denied knowing that the woman was allegedly involved in espionage. Trump expressed belief in Huang’s explanation and said he expected him to be in a favourable position. China has rejected allegations of involvement in any attempt to compromise the Nvidia chief.
Nvidia has stated that it currently has no reason to believe that national security information or company secrets were compromised.
The leadership change comes at a difficult time for the chipmaker. Nvidia shares fell around 13 per cent in premarket trading on Thursday, adding to a steep decline from their record high last month. The fall has erased an estimated $1.7 trillion from the company’s market value.
Nvidia is scheduled to announce its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on November 17, followed by an earnings call. Investors will closely monitor the results and the company’s plans for leadership transition.
