Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Returns to Office as Board Launches Formal Inquiry

Jensen Huang sat at the head of the table in his Santa Clara, California, headquarters on Monday morning, leading a standard executive briefing one day after revealing an extramarital affair to staff. He returned to the office on Tuesday as well, maintaining a familiar routine just seven days before Nvidia is scheduled to announce its quarterly financial results.

According to individuals familiar with the gathering, Huang opened the private Monday session by addressing the infidelity directly. He offered an apology to the group but did not field questions. The discussion quickly shifted to operational priorities and the day's strategic agenda. These sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was not open to public record.

The timeline of the inquiry moved swiftly after Huang's Sunday email to employees. On Tuesday, the board of directors retained Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct a formal review of the situation. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the new legal engagement.

Prior to the board's action, the Financial Times identified Huang's partner as Alice Huang, a former executive at Megaspeed. CNBC characterized the relationship as involving an alleged Chinese spy. In his initial disclosure, the 63-year-old CEO did not name the person involved. He acknowledged the limits of a verbal apology in the written message.

"I know an apology cannot undo what I have done," Huang wrote in the email. "I hope our family will heal and that, over time, I can earn back your trust."

Staff members described a quiet environment in the days following the revelation. One employee called the news shocking, while others noted a struggle to reconcile the image of their long-time leader with the details of the affair. Many had viewed Huang as a steady source of direction for the company.

Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 to build graphics processing units for video games. The company now supplies the core technology for large language models and data center infrastructure. His role in the AI sector has granted him a strong platform in Washington. Huang accompanied President Donald Trump on a visit to China in May. In September, he and his wife sat at a table with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a White House state dinner. The disclosure has increased attention on his support for expanding AI chip sales to China.