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

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has resigned following revelations that he had two extramarital affairs. The company controls an estimated 90 percent of the market for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips and is one of the world's most valuable companies.

Nvidia's chief financial officer, Colette Kress, has taken over as interim CEO while the company looks for a permanent replacement. Huang stepped down on Thursday following several days of intense scrutiny over his personal relationships and potential national security issues.

Resignation details

On Sunday, Huang admitted to being unfaithful to his wife and apologized to his family and to Nvidia employees. His wife, Lori, has been with him since before he co-founded Nvidia in 1993. The company's board initially backed Huang, saying it had confidence in his leadership.

But on Wednesday, Reuters reported the board was meeting to consider whether to remove him following further revelations of a relationship with Kimberly Powell, a senior Nvidia executive who reported directly to him. The company announced his resignation on Thursday, ending his 33-year tenure as chief executive.

Jensen's contributions to Nvidia are profound.

National security concerns

The controversy comes amid a debate in Washington over exporting advanced US AI chips to China. Huang spent years campaigning against restrictions on Nvidia chip sales to China. In December 2025, President Donald Trump approved the export of Nvidia's H200 chips to China, despite concerns about bolstering Beijing's AI capabilities.

Chinese companies reportedly ordered more than two million H200 chips, potentially worth $54bn. The allegations raised questions about whether his personal relationships could have exposed sensitive information, though Nvidia's board said it has no reason to believe national security was compromised.

New leadership

Kress has served as Nvidia's chief financial officer since September 2013 and oversaw the chipmaker's finances during a period of growth. During her time at Nvidia, the company's annual revenue rose from $4.13bn in fiscal 2014 to $215.9bn in fiscal 2026.

Trump has suggested former Apple chief executive Tim Cook as Huang's successor, though there has been no indication Cook is interested in the position. Technology analyst Ritesh Kotak noted that choosing Nvidia's next CEO would be a decision for the company's board.

Industry reactions

Trump has defended Huang amid the allegations, offering a "very forceful defence" of the Nvidia founder. Huang's departure has raised concerns about Nvidia's future, with analysts noting the "big shoes that need to be filled" and potential uncertainty among employees and customers.

The resignation has also raised questions about the wider AI industry, as Nvidia is not only a major chip supplier but also an investor in companies that build and rent out AI computing infrastructure. The company is preparing to invest approximately $10bn in AI developer Anthropic as part of its planned stock market listing, expected next week.