SANTA CLARA, United States – Jensen Huang has resigned as Nvidia’s president and chief executive officer after 33 years leading the company. His departure comes amid growing scrutiny and an independent investigation into reports of a possible foreign intelligence effort involving the executive.
Nvidia announced the decision on Thursday, November 12. The board accepted Huang’s resignation on November 11, with immediate effect. However, the company did not give a specific reason for his departure.
The board appointed Colette Kress, Nvidia’s executive vice-president and chief financial officer, as interim chief executive. She will keep her finance role while the company searches for a permanent successor.
Nvidia also appointed longtime board member Harvey C. Jones as its first chairman. Jones joined the board in 1993.
National Security Investigation Adds Pressure
Huang’s resignation followed Nvidia’s announcement on November 8 that its board had opened an independent investigation. The inquiry came after reports that a foreign intelligence effort had targeted the company’s founder.
A committee of independent directors will oversee the investigation with help from outside legal counsel. The board said Nvidia had no reason to believe that anyone had compromised national security or company secrets. Nevertheless, it said investigators would examine all available information.
On November 10, the independent directors appointed Joon H. Kim, a former acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York, to lead the inquiry. They also hired the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
The investigation followed reports that Huang had developed a relationship with a businesswoman. US intelligence agencies reportedly suspected her of having links to Chinese intelligence.
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However, no public judicial finding has established those allegations. Beijing has also denied the reported espionage claims.
Huang Acknowledges Personal Misconduct
The national security inquiry emerged alongside a separate personal controversy.
In a message to Nvidia employees on November 8, Huang admitted that he had been unfaithful to his wife. He apologised to his family, colleagues, the company’s board, business partners and shareholders.
Huang accepted responsibility for the harm caused by his actions. He also acknowledged that he had fallen short of the responsibilities expected of a company leader.
Meanwhile, he addressed the national security concerns raised in news reports. He said he supported the board’s independent investigation and would cooperate fully.
Nvidia’s statements did not identify the reported intelligence target. They also did not establish whether the alleged relationship involved the disclosure of confidential company or government information.
Leadership Change Comes at a Critical Time
Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993. Under his leadership, the company grew from a graphics-chip manufacturer into a major supplier of processors and computing systems for artificial intelligence development.
His departure comes as Nvidia faces greater scrutiny over advanced semiconductor technology, US export restrictions and competition with China.
The company said its operations, customer commitments and product roadmap would continue without interruption under the interim leadership arrangement.
Nvidia also confirmed that it would release its third-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results as scheduled on November 17.
The independent investigation remains underway, and the board has not announced its findings. It maintains that it has no current reason to believe company secrets or national security were compromised.
Huang’s resignation marks a major change for Nvidia after more than three decades under his leadership. However, questions about the reported foreign intelligence concerns and the company’s internal investigation remain unanswered.
Primary Sources: NVIDIA Corporation, Form 8-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, November 12, 2026: reported the board’s acceptance of Jen-Hsun Huang’s resignation on November 11, effective immediately, and the appointments of Colette M. Kress as interim chief executive and Harvey C. Jones as board chairman; NVIDIA Board of Directors, “Statement from NVIDIA Board of Directors,” November 8, 2026: announced an independent investigation following reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort and stated that the board had no reason to believe national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised; Independent Members of the NVIDIA Board, “Statement from the Independent Members of the NVIDIA Board,” November 10, 2026: confirmed the appointment of Joon H. Kim and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct the investigation; Jensen Huang, “A Message to Our Company,” November 8, 2026: acknowledged personal infidelity, apologised to his family and colleagues, and committed to cooperating with the investigation; NVIDIA, “NVIDIA Announces CEO Transition,” November 12, 2026: confirmed the leadership changes, interim management arrangements and search for a permanent successor.
