Jensen Huang Said to Have Had Relationship with Nvidia Executive

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang allegedly had an extramarital relationship with Kimberly Powell, the company’s vice president of health care, who reports to him, according to five people who worked at Nvidia. Both are married to other people. The relationship was discussed internally, and two former company workers said Huang and Powell were seen being affectionate at a San Jose hotel during Nvidia’s March developer conference. The account says a bystander recorded the encounter, but the video has not been independently viewed; Huang’s security reportedly confronted the bystander and offered a nondisclosure agreement. Nvidia’s conduct rules caution employees against personal relationships that create conflicts, and the company says it investigates misconduct reports. Huang declined to discuss Powell, Nvidia provided no statement, and Powell did not immediately respond.

The report adds to scrutiny of Huang amid a separate controversy involving a Chinese executive, identified by U.S. officials as an alleged intelligence asset, with whom he had become close. After Huang acknowledged that relationship, Nvidia’s board began an investigation led by outside law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; Republican leaders of three House committees also requested a closed-door briefing. China denies the espionage allegation. Powell joined Nvidia in 2008 and became vice president of health care in 2017, overseeing efforts to apply the company’s chips to areas including medical imaging. She represented Nvidia at conferences, including the March event, where she spoke about AI in health care and biology.