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

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reportedly engaged a public relations firm experienced in handling high-profile scandals in 2025, a year before he publicly acknowledged an extramarital affair. According to Wired, Heller Inc. has previously advised high-profile individuals embroiled in personal scandals and allegations of sexual misconduct. Huang acknowledged the affair in a statement published by Nvidia, following reports that he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. PR firm reportedly involved since 2025 Founded by Risa Heller, Heller Inc. has previously represented former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner, and former New Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin. Nvidia reportedly instructed its communications team to copy Heller Inc. on media queries concerning Huang shortly after an October 2025 New York Times report, according to TechCrunch, citing Wired. The New York Times report examined whether Nvidia was helping Chinese companies circumvent U.S. chip export restrictions. It also looked into Singapore-based data centre operator Megaspeed, which reportedly has links to China and purchased almost US$2 billion (S$2.6 billion) in Nvidia chips. The report also identified Megaspeed's chief executive, Alice Huang, as the woman subsequently linked to Jensen Huang in reports about his extramarital affair. The reason Huang initially engaged the firm has not been established. However, Wired reported that the public relations consultants were initially believed to have been hired to oversee matters related to Huang’s personal life and his family’s philanthropic endeavours. The firm frequently communicated with Huang and his daughter Madison, a product marketing director at Nvidia. Her prominence is growing within the company, Wired added. Huang apologises for affair On Nov. 8, Nvidia released a statement containing an email Huang had sent to employees, in which he admitted to being unfaithful to his wife. "I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did," he wrote. Huang apologised to his family, colleagues and shareholders, acknowledging that he had fallen short of his responsibilities. He also pledged to cooperate with an independent investigation launched by Nvidia's board following reports that he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. Nvidia launches independent investigation In a separate statement on Nov. 8, Nvidia's board announced that it was investigating reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. A committee of independent directors, supported by external legal counsel, will oversee the investigation. The board said it had no reason to believe that national security or Nvidia's confidential information had been compromised, but would examine all available information. The board also expressed confidence in Huang and Nvidia's leadership team, and said it would provide further updates where appropriate.