Jakarta, ThedailyID — Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has acknowledged an affair that has drawn international attention because the woman involved is suspected of having links to Chinese intelligence.
The allegations first emerged in US media reports in October 2026. Although Huang did not identify the woman in his message to employees, reports have widely linked her to Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and the hurt I have caused. I also accept all the criticism that comes from what I have done,” Huang wrote in a memo, according to CNN on Monday, November 9.
Here are the key developments in the case.
Photographed Together Since 2024
Huang and Alice Huang were first photographed together in June 2024. They were sitting next to each other at a bar in Taipei, where they reportedly met several executives from Gigabyte and NetThunder.
In May 2025, Alice was also seen standing behind the Nvidia CEO outside a Taipei restaurant as he spoke to reporters.
From Business Contacts to an Alleged Romantic Relationship
Alice Huang is a Chinese national and former executive at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based provider of artificial intelligence computing infrastructure.
Megaspeed is one of Nvidia’s customers in Southeast Asia. According to The New York Times, the company purchased more than US$4.8 billion worth of Nvidia chips over the past two years.
However, a Financial Times report suggested that their relationship went beyond business. The two were believed to have been romantically involved.
When questions about their relationship first emerged, Nvidia reportedly described their connection as an ordinary business relationship.
Alice Huang Suspected of Working for China
US authorities reportedly investigated Alice Huang and identified her as a suspected Chinese intelligence asset.
According to a confidential memo reported by The New York Times and Financial Times, China’s Ministry of State Security recruited her to gather intelligence about the Nvidia CEO. She was also allegedly tasked with influencing the company’s efforts to sell its most advanced chips to China.
Citing News18, US intelligence agencies had previously conducted electronic surveillance of Alice. During the operation, investigators identified communications between her and a US citizen.
Through a process known as “unmasking,” authorities identified that individual as Jensen Huang, according to The New York Times.
Nevertheless, important details remain unresolved. It is still unclear when the two first met, what information Alice allegedly shared with China, and how valuable that information may have been.
Jensen Huang Admits the Affair
On Monday, November 9, Huang acknowledged having an affair with an unnamed woman in a message to Nvidia employees.
He admitted that his actions had hurt his wife and children. He also apologized to his family and colleagues, expressing deep regret.
Huang said he hoped to regain his family’s trust over time. Meanwhile, he confirmed his willingness to cooperate with the company’s investigation.
Nvidia Launches Independent Investigation
Following Huang’s admission, Nvidia announced an independent investigation into its CEO and founder.
The company said a committee comprising independent directors and external legal advisers would oversee the process.
“The Board of Directors prioritizes US national and economic security, which are central to Nvidia’s interests and those of its shareholders,” the company said, according to CNN on Monday.
However, the board said it had no reason to believe that US national security or Nvidia’s trade secrets had been compromised.
“Today’s news will not slow Nvidia down. Jensen remains committed to leading Nvidia as CEO without interruption,” a company spokesperson said.
In his apology memo, Huang also reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the company and supporting US national security.
“I love our country and our company, and I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security. I am proud and grateful to be an American citizen,” he wrote on Sunday, November 8, according to NDTV.
Marco Rubio Reportedly Warned Trump Officials
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly warned several officials in President Donald Trump’s administration about Huang’s relationship with Alice months before Nvidia announced its investigation.
According to The New York Times, Rubio oversaw the preparation of a highly classified memo circulated among senior government officials during the spring.
The memo reportedly described Alice as someone whom US intelligence believed had been recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security.
The assessment was based on intelligence gathered through electronic surveillance targeting Alice, a Chinese national and senior executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed.
US officials also suspected Megaspeed of involvement in the illegal trafficking of Nvidia semiconductors restricted from export to China.
Trump Defends the Nvidia CEO
Several people familiar with the surveillance operation told The New York Times that Trump had known about the intelligence reports since the previous year but chose not to take action.
The report suggested Trump was concerned that action against Huang could disrupt Nvidia chip sales, which have supported economic and stock market growth. He also reportedly wanted to avoid further complications in US-China trade relations.
However, Trump said on Sunday, November 8, that he did not know about the alleged affair and had not discussed the matter with Huang.
“I think he’s a very honorable man. I think he may have had some reason for this. You have to hear him out,” Trump told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, according to Business Insider.
“He’s done an incredible job for this country. I haven’t spoken to him about it,” he added, according to Reuters.
Trump and Huang have maintained close ties over the past two years. Nvidia has also received strong support from the Republican president.
Huang has regularly accompanied Trump on international trips, including a visit to China earlier in 2026 and a trip to the United Kingdom in 2025.
China Denies Spying Allegations
China has rejected allegations that its government conducted an intelligence operation targeting the Nvidia CEO.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the accusations as baseless speculation and an attempt to damage China’s reputation.
“The reports in question are based on baseless speculation and are nothing more than an attempt to defame China,” Guo said, according to the BBC on October 30.
The allegations remain disputed, while Nvidia’s independent investigation is expected to examine the issues involving its CEO.
