Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sent an apology to employees and acknowledged he had an extramarital affair with Alice Huang, a woman who is allegedly a Chinese spy.
The circumstances, first reported by the New York Times and later by the Financial Times, could throw the future of Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company with a market valuation of $5.2 trillion into doubt. The company’s board said it has launched an investigation into the situation.
In a statement, an Nvidia spokesperson said, “Today’s news will not slow Nvidia. Jensen is committed to continuing to lead Nvidia as CEO without interruption.” Huang did not name Alice Huang (no relation), in his note, but in its reporting, the New York Times identified her in a story previously.
In the message to employees, Huang wrote, “I owe my family and all of you an apology. I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry.”
He added, “Throughout my life, my family has given me love and support. They deserve my honesty and loyalty. Instead, I let them down and damaged the life we built together. I take full responsibility for what I did and the hurt I caused, and I accept the criticism that comes with it.”
And he said, “To my wife and family: I love you. I know an apology cannot undo what I have done. I hope our family will heal and that, over time, I can earn back your trust.”
He also addressed employees, some of whom he has worked alongside for decades.
“To my colleagues at Nvdia, including those I have worked alongside for decades, and to our board, partners, and shareholders around the world: you deserve better from me. Leading Nvidia is the privilege of my life. My responsibility is to serve you and be worthy of your trust. I have fallen short of that responsibility. I am fully committed to Nvidia and will work to earn back your confidence,” Huang said.
And he said, “Regarding the national security concerns raised in news reports, Nvidia’s Board of Directors has initiated an independent investigation. I support the investigation and will cooperate fully. I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security. I am proud and grateful to be an American.”
In closing, he wrote, “My family bears no responsibility for my choices. I do. Please give them privacy.”
In the New York Times report, the story drew attention to Alice Huang, a business executive who became a U.S. government concern after surveillance revealed that she was feeding information to Beijing. Jensen Huang has been an ally of President Donald Trump as part of the president’s efforts to bring manufacturing to the U.S. and keep its lead in AI over China. Jensen Huang has also been the most visible guiding light of the AI technology revolution.
Huang, 63, will keep leading the company during the investigation. Alice Huang, a former TV reporter, became a top exec at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based data center company that became one of Nvidia’s largest customers in Southeast Asia, buying more than $4.8 billion in chips since June 2024. The Times reported in the past that the Commerce Department was probing into whether the company was helping China smuggled restricted AI chips. During the course of the investigation, the investigators found that Alice Huang was in touch with Jensen Huang.
The Times said that Megaspeed was formed in 2023, when a Chinese online gaming company separated the subsidiary as its own Singaporean company.
And Nvidia’s board of directors issued the following statement:
The Nvidia Board is initiating an independent investigation in light of recent reporting that founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort.
A committee of independent directors, assisted by outside independent counsel, will oversee the investigation.
The Board prioritizes U.S. national and economic security, which is paramount to the interests of Nvidia and its shareholders.
While the Board has no reason to believe that either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, the Board’s inquiry will examine all available information.
Jensen fully supports the review and has committed to cooperating with it.
The Board has confidence in Jensen and his leadership team and will provide further updates as appropriate.