Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang apologises to wife, admits affair with alleged Chinese spy
Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has apologised to his family and colleagues after admitting to being unfaithful to his wife, amid reports linking him to a woman suspected of having ties to Chinese intelligence.
The company’s board of directors has also announced an independent investigation into reports that Huang may have been targeted in a foreign intelligence operation. The CEO has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation.
In a statement released on Sunday, Huang admitted to having an affair and expressed regret over the impact of his actions on his family.
“I owe my family and all of you an apology,” Huang wrote. “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.”
Huang has been married since 1985 and has two children with his wife.
The controversy follows a report published by The New York Times on October 29, which raised questions about Huang’s relationship with Alice Huang, an executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed. The woman is not related to the Nvidia chief.
According to the report, US intelligence agencies had determined that the woman was an alleged Chinese intelligence asset who had been sharing information with the Chinese government.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, dismissed the allegations, describing them as part of what it called a campaign of “groundless smears and slanders” against China.
Megaspeed had previously attracted the attention of US authorities over allegations that it was involved in smuggling Nvidia chips into China, potentially bypassing American export restrictions on advanced semiconductor technology.
The Singaporean government also reportedly opened an investigation into the company over possible violations of local laws.
However, Megaspeed denied any wrongdoing, insisting that it had complied with applicable export control regulations and had been investigated and cleared by several institutions, including the US Commerce Department and Nvidia.
“We operate fully within the bounds of all applicable export control regulations and maintain the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct,” the company said in a statement last December.
It remains unclear whether Alice Huang was allegedly acting independently or on behalf of Megaspeed.
In an interview with Bloomberg on October 29, Jensen Huang had denied having an inappropriate relationship with the woman, describing their interactions as strictly professional.
“Our relationship, our interactions, have been related to Megaspeed, and it was all completely normal and not unusual,” he said.
He also indicated that Alice Huang was no longer working with the company.
Nvidia board opens independent investigation
Following the reports, Nvidia’s board announced that it would conduct an independent investigation into claims that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.
The investigation will be led by independent members of the board, with assistance from external legal counsel.
In its statement on Sunday, the board said protecting US national and economic security remained a major priority for the company and its shareholders.
“The Board prioritises US national and economic security, which is paramount to the interests of Nvidia and its shareholders,” the statement said.
“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.”
A Nvidia spokesperson told The New York Times that Huang would remain in his position as chief executive while the investigation continues.
Huang has also expressed support for the board’s decision, promising to cooperate with the process and rebuild the trust of his family and colleagues.
“Leading Nvidia is the privilege of my life,” he wrote in his message to employees.
“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.”
He further reaffirmed his commitment to the company and the United States, saying he would continue to protect Nvidia’s interests and support America’s national security.
“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,” he added.