Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang has resigned as CEO after 33 years leading the company, following a growing controversy involving his personal relationships and national security concerns. The chipmaker confirmed his immediate departure on November 12, announcing that Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress will take over as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement.
Huang has also stepped down as Nvidia’s president and a member of its board of directors, marking an abrupt leadership change at one of the world’s most valuable technology companies.
Why Did Jensen Huang Resign From Nvidia?
Huang’s resignation follows reports of two extramarital affairs, including a relationship with Alice Huang, a businesswoman whom US intelligence reportedly suspected of involvement in efforts to divert restricted Nvidia chips to China.
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According to Reuters, Nvidia’s board met on Wednesday to consider removing Huang after additional reports emerged about his relationship with a company executive.
Earlier, Nvidia launched an independent investigation into possible foreign intelligence involvement, although the company said it had no reason to believe its confidential information or national security had been compromised.
The controversy also triggered a sharp decline in Nvidia shares, with the stock dropping more than 8% in after-hours trading following reports of Huang’s possible removal.
Nvidia Appoints Colette Kress as Interim CEO
Nvidia has appointed Colette Kress, who joined the company in 2013, as interim CEO while retaining her responsibilities as chief financial officer.
The company also named Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever chairman of the board, with directors considering both internal and external candidates for the permanent CEO position.
In its official announcement, Nvidia’s board expressed confidence in the new leadership:
“The Board has full confidence in Colette and the leadership team, and we expect the company’s operations, customer commitments and product roadmap to continue without interruption.”
What Happens to Nvidia After Huang’s Departure?
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and transformed the graphics chipmaker into a dominant supplier of AI computing hardware, supported by its CUDA software ecosystem and increasingly powerful GPU architectures.
His departure creates uncertainty around Nvidia’s long-term leadership, particularly as the company prepares to advance its Blackwell and Rubin AI platforms while facing growing competition and tighter US export restrictions.
Nvidia will report its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on November 17, giving investors an early opportunity to assess the company’s outlook following the unexpected leadership transition.
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