After 33 years at the helm of Nvidia, Jensen Huang's tenure as CEO ended in a way that surprised many observers of the AI chipmaker. Over more than three decades he oversaw the company's transformation from a graphics chipmaker into one of the world's most powerful artificial intelligence companies, and was known for his relentless energy and attention to detail.
According to a Bloomberg account of his final hours, Huang appeared to have run out of fight. Late on Wednesday night he gave in after weeks of trying to hold on to his position amid allegations of infidelity. People familiar with the situation told Bloomberg that he had increasingly responded to those around him with phrases such as "whatever" and "I don't care", and had become deeply critical of himself, describing himself as a "piece of sh--".S1S2
The crisis centred on Huang's relationship with Alice Huang, a woman suspected by US intelligence of having links to Chinese espionage. Nvidia's board, which included longtime investors and people with close business associations with the CEO, was initially reluctant to intervene. Huang maintained in a Bloomberg interview that their interactions were no different from his dealings with Chinese customers and business executives. The situation became harder to contain after the Financial Times reported on November 6, citing US officials, that the relationship was romantic.S1
The fallout reached Huang at home when Nvidia general counsel Tim Teter visited him to question him about the allegations. Huang admitted to the relationship, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the conversation. Teter then told the directors the allegations could no longer be left unaddressed. Nvidia announced an independent investigation on November 7, appointing the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to examine the matter, and Huang then wrote to employees acknowledging the affair.S1
Huang resigned late on Wednesday night, ending his time as the company's leader and leaving Nvidia preparing for life without him.S2S3
