Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reportedly hired crisis PR firm that deals with scandals a year before admitting to affair

Jensen Huang

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang found himself at the center of a significant corporate and personal scandal, reportedly hiring a crisis public relations firm, Heller Inc., in 2025. This move occurred a full year before he publicly acknowledged an extramarital affair in November 2026. Huang's admission was made in an email to employees, where he expressed deep regret for his actions, stating, "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did." He extended apologies to his family, colleagues, and shareholders, acknowledging a failure to meet his responsibilities.

The timing of Huang's PR firm engagement and subsequent public apology is critical, as it coincided with reports suggesting he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. Nvidia's board responded by launching an independent investigation into these reports, with Huang pledging his full cooperation. The board, while expressing confidence in Huang and Nvidia's leadership, emphasized its commitment to examining all available information to ensure national security and confidential information had not been compromised.

Heller Inc.

Heller Inc., founded by Risa Heller, is a public relations firm with a track record of handling high-profile personal scandals and allegations of sexual misconduct. The firm's past clients include notable figures such as former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner and former New Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin, indicating its expertise in navigating complex and sensitive public relations challenges. Nvidia reportedly instructed its communications team to include Heller Inc. on media inquiries concerning Huang shortly after an October 2025 New York Times report.

Initially, the public relations consultants were believed to have been hired to manage matters related to Huang’s personal life and his family’s philanthropic endeavors. The firm maintained frequent communication with both Jensen Huang and his daughter, Madison, who is a product marketing director at Nvidia and whose prominence within the company is reportedly growing. This suggests a comprehensive approach to managing Huang's public image and personal affairs in anticipation of potential scrutiny.

Megaspeed

The broader context of the scandal involves Megaspeed, a Singapore-based data centre operator. This company reportedly has links to China and had purchased a substantial amount of Nvidia chips, almost US$2 billion (S$2.6 billion) worth. The New York Times report in October 2025, which prompted Nvidia's communications team to involve Heller Inc., examined whether Nvidia was inadvertently assisting Chinese companies in circumventing U.S. chip export restrictions.

Crucially, the report identified Megaspeed's chief executive, Alice Huang, as the woman subsequently linked to Jensen Huang in reports concerning his extramarital affair. This connection intertwines the personal scandal with potential geopolitical and national security implications, particularly regarding U.S.-China technology trade and foreign intelligence operations. The independent investigation launched by Nvidia's board aims to thoroughly examine these intricate links and ensure the integrity of the company's operations and national security interests.