Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns after affair with executive tied to China spy case

Jensen Huang resigned as chief executive of Nvidia on Thursday, November 12, 2026, ending his 33-year tenure after revelations of two extramarital affairs, including one with a woman accused of spying for China. He also stepped down as president and board member, effective immediately. Chief financial officer Colette Kress will serve as interim CEO while retaining her finance role, as the board searches for a permanent successor. Nvidia shares plunged 10% in premarket trading, and Huang, who holds about 3.61% of the company, will not remain on the board. The departure creates uncertainty for the $4 trillion AI giant and could disrupt U.S. chip export policy, given Huang's push to preserve Chinese market access and his ties to President Donald Trump. The controversy escalated after reports of his affair with Kimberly Powell, an Nvidia vice president who reported to him.