Why did Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resign, and who is Colette Kress?

What the report says

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has resigned after revelations about extramarital affairs and questions tied to possible Chinese espionage, according to Al Jazeera’s report published on 12 Nov. 2026. The company said Huang also left the board, ending a 33-year run as chief executive of the chipmaker, which dominates the market for advanced AI chips and is among the world’s most valuable firms.

Al Jazeera reported that Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and apologized to his family and employees. The board initially stood by him and opened an independent inquiry into reports that he had been targeted by Chinese intelligence, but later moved toward his removal after additional allegations emerged, including a reported relationship with a senior Nvidia executive who reported directly to him. The company did not give a specific reason for his departure. Al Jazeera noted there is no established evidence that Huang knowingly aided Beijing or that company secrets were compromised.

The resignation also lands amid wider US debate over exports of advanced AI chips to China, where Nvidia’s sales have drawn scrutiny because of the technology’s potential military and strategic value. The report says the controversy has raised concerns about whether Huang’s personal relationships could have created security or conflict-of-interest risks.

Nvidia named chief financial officer Colette Kress as interim CEO while it searches for a permanent replacement. Kress has held the CFO role since 2013 and previously worked at Texas Instruments, Microsoft and Cisco. The board is considering internal and external candidates, and no permanent successor has been announced.