Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns amid personal scandal and espionage allegations
On November 12, 2026, Jensen Huang resigned as CEO and board member of Nvidia following revelations of personal misconduct. The 63-year-old executive faced intense scrutiny after reports surfaced regarding two extramarital affairs: one with a woman suspected of acting as a Chinese intelligence agent, and another with an Nvidia vice president, Kimberly Powell. The latter relationship reportedly violated company conflict-of-interest policies and was documented on video.
The scandal triggered a significant market reaction, causing Nvidia's stock to plummet by approximately 13.7% in a single day. In response to the governance crisis, the company appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO. The FBI is reportedly conducting an investigation into the espionage allegations, adding a layer of national security concerns to the corporate management collapse. US President Donald Trump publicly suggested that former Apple CEO Tim Cook should succeed Huang as the head of the company.
Nvidia, a central player in the global artificial intelligence sector with a valuation formerly reaching $4 trillion, now faces an uncertain leadership transition. Analysts are closely monitoring how the board will finalize a permanent replacement to restore stability, while the company continues to address the fallout from the ethical and security breaches that led to Huang's abrupt departure.