Claims Nvidia’s Jensen Huang ‘had a second affair’ with staffer Kimberly Powell, as board prepare to oust him
The Nvidia board is preparing to oust CEO Jenson Huang over claims he had two affairs, one with a suspected Chinese spy.
Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has been embroiled in yet another scandal after revelations that he was allegedly having a second affair with a subordinate, amid reports the AI juggernaut’s board is preparing to sack him.
An investigation from the New York Times alleges that the 63-year-old was having an affair with Nvidia’s vice-president of healthcare, Kimberly Powell, 48.
It comes as The Wall Street Journal reports that the board is preparing to meet to determine the CEO’s future. People familiar with the matter have told the Journal the board could meet as soon as today to determine his future.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Times spoke with five people who worked at the company, two of whom alleged Mr Huang and Ms Powell had been captured on video together during a company conference in March.
In the footage, the pair reportedly appeared to be affectionate with each other, despite both being married to other people.
The person who had filmed the interaction was approached by Mr Huang’s security at the time and an offer was made to them to sign a non-disclosure agreement, it is alleged.
The five people the Times spoke with said the relationship had been discussed inside the company.
Mr Huang and Nvidia declined to comment and Ms Powell could not be reached by the outlet.
Ms Powell joined Nvidia in 2008 and has been in her current role since 2017.
The revelation comes after an investigation was launched after it was alleged Mr Huang had an affair with a woman, Alice Huang, determined to be a Chinese spy by US intelligence.
Mr Huang, who founded the company in 1993, told staff in an open letter he had been unfaithful to his wife with a business executive and apologised, but did not give further details.
He said: “I support the investigation and will co-operate fully. I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security.”
The FBI is also investigating the affair.
The New York Times reported last month that Mr Huang - who has mingled with royalty and is a regular visitor to the White House - had an intimate relationship with an unrelated business executive called Alice Huang, who US intelligence had determined to be a Chinese spy.
She ran Singapore-based Megaspeed International, which has previously been suspected of illicitly shipping restricted Nvidia chips to China in breach of US export controls.
Beijing has denied the espionage claims.
A ministry of foreign affairs spokesman said: “The so-called Chinese spy allegation is unsubstantiated. It is nothing but smears against China.”
Speaking at a White House briefing on Monday, US President Donald Trump said Huang should not be concerned about the FBI probe.
“I did speak to him today just to see if he’s feeling all right,” Mr Trump said.
“He said he had absolutely no idea that the person in question was a spy.”
- With PA
