Huang Appears Defeated in His Final Hours as Nvidia CEO, Bloomberg Says

After weeks of denying allegations of infidelity and battling to remain Nvidia’s chief executive, Huang’s surrender late Wednesday night was unconditional, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the situation.

His usual take-charge manner had gone, the person said, and he had begun answering with phrases such as “whatever” and “I don’t care.” To those in the room, he appeared to have given up.

Demeanor Shifts After Weeks of Denial

When reports emerged in late October of his close ties to Alice Huang, a woman U.S. officials have linked to Chinese intelligence, the board — dominated by longtime investors, partners and friends — was reluctant to act, Bloomberg said.

Huang had denied being unfaithful to friends, colleagues and, internally, since late 2025. In one of his last interviews as chief executive, he told Bloomberg that his dealings with Alice Huang were typical of those with Chinese customers and executives. “It was all completely normal and not unusual,” he said.

A Financial Times report on Nov. 6, citing U.S. officials, described the relationship as romantic. Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter confronted Huang at his home, and Huang confessed, Bloomberg said. Teter, the board’s secretary, pressed directors to act. They announced an independent investigation the next day, and on Nov. 8 Huang emailed staff, admitted an affair, apologized to his family and pledged to “cooperate fully.”

Board Gives Huang No Choice

As the scandal widened, Bloomberg said, Huang was slower to answer the priority notes he normally handled at all hours. On Wednesday, The New York Times reported a further alleged relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s vice president of health care. Directors met remotely late into the night, after The Wall Street Journal had reported that the board was preparing to oust him. Bloomberg said they gave Huang no choice but to resign, cutting all ties with the company he co-founded.

Concern Centers on His Wife

The board named chief financial officer Colette Kress interim chief the next morning. In an email reviewed by Bloomberg, she wrote, “I believe deeply in this company and in its future,” and pledged an all-hands meeting on Nov. 18. Board chair Harvey Jones told employees that “Jensen’s contributions to Nvidia are profound.”

Huang could not be reached for comment. He is expected to appear before Congress over his relationship with Alice Huang and whether Nvidia’s chip secrets were put at risk.

People who have spoken with him in recent days described a penitent turn. He has reportedly castigated himself as a “piece of sh--,” said he no longer cares what happens to him, and put his concern on his wife and on not “ruining the lives” of the women now publicly linked to him.