Jensen Huang's Final Days at Nvidia: From Self-Blame to Putting His Wife First - 5 Key Revelations

Jensen Huang's final days as Nvidia CEO were reportedly marked by emotional turmoil, personal revelations and growing pressure following reports about his relationships. The billionaire technology executive, who co-founded Nvidia in 1993, stepped down as chief executive on November 12, 2026, bringing an end to more than three decades at the helm of one of the world's most influential semiconductor companies.

According to a Bloomberg report detailing the events leading up to his departure, Huang's behaviour changed noticeably as the controversy surrounding his personal life intensified. The executive, widely recognised for his demanding leadership style and hands-on management, reportedly became increasingly withdrawn and expressed deep regret over the situation. One of the most striking revelations from the report was Huang's reported self-critical remark, in which he described himself as a "piece of sh**". People familiar with his interactions said he appeared to have lost his usual confidence and was increasingly indifferent about his professional future.

The controversy began attracting attention following reports about Huang's relationship with Alice Huang, a businesswoman associated with Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed International. US intelligence officials reportedly suspected the businesswoman of having links to Chinese intelligence, raising concerns about potential national security implications. These allegations have not been independently established as facts.

Huang initially maintained that his interactions with Alice Huang were part of normal business activities. However, a Financial Times report published on November 6, citing US officials, described their relationship as romantic. According to Bloomberg, Nvidia's general counsel, Tim Teter, subsequently confronted Huang at his residence, where the CEO reportedly acknowledged the relationship.

The developments prompted Nvidia's board to launch an independent investigation. The company maintained that it had no reason to believe its confidential information or national security interests had been compromised. As the controversy escalated, Huang also reportedly acknowledged the impact of his personal conduct on his family and colleagues. In an internal communication sent to Nvidia employees on November 8, he admitted to being unfaithful to his wife, Lori Huang, and apologised. He also pledged to cooperate with the board's investigation.

The situation reportedly affected his usual working routine. Huang, who was known for maintaining close oversight of Nvidia's operations and communicating frequently with senior executives, began responding more slowly to internal messages, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. The pressure increased further after The New York Times reported on November 11 that Huang had also been involved in an intimate relationship with Kimberly Powell, an Nvidia executive serving as the company's vice president of healthcare. The report added another dimension to the growing controversy, raising further questions about executive conduct and corporate governance.

Nvidia's board reportedly held an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening, with discussions continuing late into the night. By Thursday morning, Huang had stepped down from his position, ending his 33-year tenure as the company's chief executive. Another significant detail emerging from Bloomberg's account concerned Huang's reported concern for his wife. People familiar with his conversations said that her well-being had become his primary personal concern as the controversy unfolded. His reported remarks suggested that the consequences for his family had begun to outweigh concerns about his professional future.

Following his departure, Nvidia appointed Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress as interim CEO. Harvey C. Jones was also named the company's first-ever chairman as the board began considering its next leadership arrangements. Huang's exit comes at a critical time for Nvidia, which has become a central player in the global artificial intelligence industry. Under his leadership, the company transformed from a graphics processing technology business into a dominant supplier of advanced chips used in AI development and data centres.

His departure therefore represents more than a change at the top of a major technology company. It marks the end of an era for Nvidia, whose growth and corporate identity were closely associated with its co-founder. As the board works towards a permanent leadership arrangement, the company will face the challenge of maintaining investor confidence, business momentum and its position in the increasingly competitive AI market.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.