Jensen Huang, CEO of tech giant Nvidia, has publicly admitted to an affair with a suspected Chinese spy.
The company is one of the most valuable in the world and is at the center of China’s AI race, producing the most advanced AI chips ever seen.
It has now opened an independent investigation into its boss, with shares expected to fall. Nvidia has a stock market valuation of around $4.5trillion.
In his statement, the 63-year-old business exec said he takes ‘full responsibility’ after being ‘unfaithful’ to his wife, Lori Huang, whom he wed in 1985 after meeting at university.
Huang, who has children Madison and Spencer, added in his statement: ‘My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry.’
He said he ‘accepts the criticism that comes’ with his actions, which an apology ‘cannot undo’.
‘I hope our family will heal and that, over time, I can earn back your trust.’
‘Regarding the national security concerns raised in news reports, Nvidia’s Board of Directors has initiated an independent investigation,’ he confirmed. ‘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.
‘My family bears no responsibility for my choices. I do. Please give them privacy.’
Currently, the board does not have reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised.
The probe will explore whether perceived family man Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence effort and ‘examine all available information’.
A statement issued by Nvidia’s board of directors said the investigation was initiated ‘in light of recent reporting that founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort’.
It added: ‘The board prioritises US 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.’
Separately, US officials suspected that Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang, with whom Huang had a close relationship, was a spy for Beijing, as per a New York Times report.
The publication reported in October that President Donald Trump had been briefed in 2025 on intelligence alleging she was spying on China’s behalf.
Her Chinese name is Huang Le, and she is a former executive of Singapore-based data center firm Megaspeed.
Trump has claimed he and Huang have not spoken since the investigation was launched.
The Republican leader did, however, tell reporters: ‘I just know he’s a fine person, but you never know what’s going on.’
He praised Huang as having ‘done an amazing job for our country’.
Asked yesterday whether he believes he should’ve ‘acted on the intelligence’ he received last year at the time, he said: ‘No, I don’t think so. I think he’s an honourable guy.’
China previously branded claims of an espionage effort directed at the Nvidia chief ‘groundless speculation’.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it would not comment further on the latest claims.
‘We have already responded to this,’ spokesperson Guo Jiakun told press at the daily briefing. ‘The allegations about Chinese spies are entirely groundless, speculative and intended to smear and malign China.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@usnewsrank.com.
For more stories like this, check our news page.