Nvidia’s Jensen Huang resigns over relationship with suspected Chinese spy

Published on 12 November 2026 - 15:07 GMT+1•Updated 15:12

Jensen Huang has resigned as chief executive of Nvidia with immediate effect, following reports that he had a relationship with a suspected Chinese agent.

The company’s board announced on Thursday that Huang, who co-founded the firm in 1993, had stepped down as president, chief executive and board member.

Colette Kress, Nvidia’s chief financial officer, will serve as interim CEO and keep her finance role while the board looks for a permanent replacement among internal and external candidates. Harvey C. Jones has been named the company’s first-ever board chair.

"NVIDIA’s strength has always come from its people, and together with our leadership team, I am committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years," Kress said.

The resignation comes after days of scandal. The New York Times reported that Huang, 63, had a relationship with a Chinese tech executive allegedly recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security. The board had opened an independent investigation into that relationship after Huang admitted to having an extramarital affair.

The paper later reported a second affair, with a married healthcare executive who reported to him. That may have broken the company’s code of conduct.

The allegations have not been proven, and China has denied them.

Our journalists are working on this story and will update it as soon as more information becomes available.