Nvidia CEO Faces Ouster Amid Personal Allegations

Nvidia's board convened on Wednesday to deliberate the future of CEO Jensen Huang, amid reports that directors are preparing to force his removal. These discussions follow allegations concerning two personal relationships involving Huang. One report detailed a romantic relationship with Kimberly Powell, Nvidia's vice president of healthcare, with alleged public displays of affection in March.

Earlier reports also surfaced regarding Huang's relationship with Alice Huang, a woman allegedly linked to China's Ministry of State Security. Nvidia's board has initiated an independent investigation into these allegations, retaining the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Huang himself acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife, Lori Huang, expressing regret for the impact on his family.

Amidst this leadership turmoil, Jay Puri, an Indian-origin executive with over two decades of experience at Nvidia, has come into focus. Puri retired from his executive position as senior vice president of Worldwide Field Operations in August 2026. His extensive background in global sales and operations makes him a notable figure in discussions about potential succession.

The uncertainty surrounding Huang's tenure has impacted Nvidia's stock, which fell more than 9% in after-hours trading on Wednesday. This decline added to existing market pressures, with the company's shares already trending downwards amid concerns about AI infrastructure spending sustainability. Nvidia has been a major beneficiary of the AI boom, with its chips crucial for training AI models.