Nvidia founder Jensen Huang resigns as CEO

Jensen Huang, who founded Nvidia 33 years ago, resigned as president and CEO following allegations of extramarital affairs, including one involving a suspected Chinese spy. CFO Colette Kress has been appointed interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement. The sudden departure marks a major leadership transition at the world's most valuable chip company driving the AI boom.

Nvidia announced on November 12, 2026, that Jensen Huang has resigned as president, CEO, and board member, effective immediately. The unexpected departure came after months of investigation into allegations of extramarital affairs that drew scrutiny from US lawmakers concerned about national security implications. One of the affairs allegedly involved a woman suspected of being a Chinese intelligence operative.

Colette Kress, Nvidia's executive vice president and chief financial officer since 2013, has assumed the role of interim CEO while maintaining her CFO responsibilities. The board is conducting a search for a permanent successor and has indicated it will consider both internal and external candidates. Harvey C. Jones was simultaneously appointed as the board's first-ever chair.

Huang's resignation came after the Financial Times and New York Times reported details of his affairs, prompting an emergency board meeting late Wednesday night. Three House committees have summoned Huang for closed-door interviews, and the Senate Banking Committee chairman requested testimony to address national security concerns. The departure represents a historic moment for Nvidia, as Huang had been with the company since its 1993 founding and was instrumental in developing GPU technology that became foundational to modern AI systems.

The leadership transition raises questions about continuity at Nvidia during a critical period when the company's chips are central to the AI infrastructure race. Analysts have noted that Kress brings extensive financial expertise accumulated over her 13 years at Nvidia, though her appointment as interim CEO marks her first executive leadership role at the company.