Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is facing an investigation by his tech company’s board after admitting to an affair with a business executive whom U.S. intelligence officials reportedly suspected of working as a Chinese spy. Nvidia sells computer chips and software.
Spies, Mansions, Money
And, Huang’s enormous wealth and luxury real estate holdings offer another look at how he has built and invested his fortune.
Huang, 63, acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife, Lori, in a message to Nvidia employees, apologizing for the impact his actions had on his family. The company’s board has announced an independent investigation into the matter, although Nvidia says it has no reason to believe that company secrets or national security information were compromised.
The woman at the center of the controversy, Alice Huang, is reportedly suspected by U.S. officials of having connections to Chinese intelligence. She previously held an executive position at Singapore-based data center company Megaspeed. The espionage allegations have not been independently verified, and China has denied the claims.
On Wall Street, Nvidia shares declined following news of the investigation, shaving billions off Huang’s personal estimated net worth. Nevertheless, he remains among the world’s wealthiest individuals, with a fortune estimated at currently around $148 billion, depending on the stock market’s performance. His net worth places him as the 12th- or 13th-wealthiest person in the world, after losing about $16 billion to $17 billion in the 48 hours after the scandal broke publicly, although it has been reported the White House knew of the rumors months ago.
Huang has diversified his wealth through investments, business ventures, and luxury real estate.
According to property records and reporting by Realtor.com, his known residential portfolio includes properties in San Francisco, Los Altos, and Maui, Hawaii. Based on their reported purchase prices, the three properties represent approximately $52.7 million in real estate investments.
A $38 Million San Francisco Mansion
Huang’s most expensive reported real estate purchase is a sprawling mansion in San Francisco’s exclusive Pacific Heights neighborhood. In 2017, he reportedly paid more than $38 million for the property, located in one of the city’s most prestigious residential areas.
The approximately 11,400-square-foot limestone residence features panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It includes multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a large terrace, an outdoor kitchen, a three-car garage, two wine rooms, a private theater, a gym, as well as an elevator.
A $6.9 Million California Estate
Huang also owns a luxury residence in Los Altos, California, approximately 15 miles from Nvidia’s headquarters.
He purchased the property in 2003 for approximately $6.9 million.
The two-story estate measures more than 7,000 square feet and has six bedrooms, landscaped grounds and a resort-style swimming pool.
A $7.8 Million Maui Retreat
In 2004, he purchased a luxury residence on the island’s southern coast for approximately $7.8 million.
Located within the exclusive Wailea Resort community, the approximately 8,000-square-foot residence features seven bedrooms and was built in 2008. It is situated within a gated development spanning approximately 10.5 acres along the ocean, surrounded by lush tropical landscaping.
From Denny’s Waiter to Billionaire
Born in Taiwan in 1963, Huang spent part of his childhood in Thailand before moving to the United States at age 9. He eventually attended school in Kentucky before pursuing engineering and building a career in technology. He also worked at Denny’s, where he once waited tables.
In 1993, he co-founded Nvidia with Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem. It began as a technology startup focused on computer graphics before becoming a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and artificial intelligence computing.
Huang, Malachowsky, and Priem launched Nvidia with approximately $40,000 in initial capital. Huang was 30 years old and working as an engineer at LSI Logic, according to Fortune The three founders each contributed $200 toward their initial ownership shares. They raised approximately $20 million in venture capital, including funding from Sequoia Capital.
Huang met his wife while studying electrical engineering at Oregon State University. They married in 1985, and both initially worked as microchip designers in Silicon Valley. If the couple divorces, there is reportedly no prenup, leaving the possibility of Huang’s wife walking about with potentially half his wealth, Forbes reported.