Story
Nov 12, 2026
A spy scandal and a second affair bring down Nvidia’s untouchable CEO
Nvidia’s board moved quickly to steady the company after allegations involving its longtime chief raised both national-security concerns and questions about his conduct. But while executives stress continuity under interim CEO Colette Kress, analysts and industry figures warn that replacing a founder so central to Nvidia will be no simple handoff.
On Sunday, Jensen Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife, as Nvidia said it was investigating reports that he may have been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. The scrutiny followed claims that he had a relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman U.S. intelligence suspects of spying for Beijing; China dismissed the spying allegations.12
The crisis deepened on Wednesday, when reports surfaced of a second affair, this time with an Nvidia executive who reportedly reported directly to Huang. The board met that evening. By Thursday, Huang had resigned as CEO, president and board member, ending a 33-year tenure at the company he co-founded.1
Nvidia named longtime finance chief Colette Kress interim CEO and began searching for a permanent successor, considering candidates from inside and outside the company. President Donald Trump, who had called Huang a “Legend,” floated Apple executive chairman Tim Cook as a possible replacement—though it was unclear whether he was joking.3
Kress, at Nvidia since 2013, struck a note of continuity: “NVIDIA’s strength has always come from its people,” she said, pledging to build on the foundation Huang created. But analysts see a daunting transition. One described Kress as deeply involved across the business; another questioned who could inherit Huang’s strategic authority. Nvidia shares fell sharply after the announcement, underscoring investor unease.456
The reaction among industry figures was more elegiac. Aravind Srinivas thanked Huang for 33 years of “bold leadership,” while Elon Musk reposted Tim Sweeney’s tribute, calling the departure “a sad day for NVIDIA, developers, America, and all humanity.”
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The board’s immediate task is continuity; the larger question is whether Nvidia can preserve its momentum without the founder who became synonymous with its rise.6
[1] Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Resigns Amid Spy, Affair Scandals — Reports on the allegations, board action and resignation.
[2] Who is Colette Kress, Nvidia's interim CEO? Longtime exec takes top spot after Jensen Huang resigns — China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the spying allegations.
[3] Trump pitches Apple's Tim Cook as new Nvidia CEO — Trump praised Huang and floated Cook as a replacement.
[4] Jensen Huang is out at Nvidia — who is Colette Kress, his interim replacement? — Kress’s statement on leading the company.
[5] Who is Colette Kress? Nvidia's finance chief steps in as interim CEO after Huang exit — Analyst assessment of Kress and market reaction.
[6] Nvidia's Jensen Huang Resigns, CFO Colette Kress Named Interim CEO — Reporting on succession concerns and the board’s challenge.
[7] Aravind Srinivas on X — Thanked Huang for 33 years of “bold leadership.”
[8] Elon Musk on X — Reposted Tim Sweeney’s tribute to Huang.