NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang faces ouster after affair with suspected Chinese spy: Report

NVIDIA's board is preparing to oust CEO Jensen Huang after revelations of two extramarital affairs, including one with a woman suspected of spying for China, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The board was preparing to meet as soon as Wednesday to determine Huang's future at the company, the report said.

Huang's potential departure would mark a dramatic leadership change at one of the world's most valuable chipmakers.

One of the reported relationships was with Alice Huang, a Singapore-based businesswoman whom US intelligence agencies suspect of working for Chinese intelligence, according to earlier media reports.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Huang also had an affair with Kimberly Powell, a senior NVIDIA executive who heads its healthcare business.

NVIDIA's board had earlier appointed a committee of independent directors, assisted by external legal counsel, to investigate Huang's relationship with Alice Huang.

The board had said it had no reason to believe that national security or company secrets had been compromised.

"While the Board has no reason to believe that either national security or NVIDIA secrets were compromised, the Board's inquiry will examine all available information," it said.

The board said that it had confidence in Huang and his leadership team.

The latest developments have put the spotlight on succession planning at NVIDIA, where Huang has led the company since co-founding it in 1993.

Huang, 63, is NVIDIA's largest shareholder, with a stake of about 3.6%. He has previously said he does not believe in conventional succession planning and has around 60 direct reports.

US President Donald Trump earlier this week defended Huang, calling him an "amazing guy" and an "honorable man".

Asked whether he regretted not acting on intelligence about the alleged Chinese operation, Trump said: "No, I don't think so. I think he's an honourable guy."

NVIDIA shares fell about 8% in after-hours trading on Wednesday following the reports.