After Nvidia chief Jensen Huang admits to affair with alleged Chinese spy, trolls infuriate netizens by blaming his wife
One of the biggest stories this week is the admission from Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia, that he had an illicit relationship with Alice Huang, a former top executive at Singapore-based data centre Megaspeed.
Ms Huang has been accused by authorities in the United States of spying for China, making her close relationship with the Nvidia chief particularly concerning.
On Nov 8, Mr Huang, 63, apologised and accepted responsibility for hurting his family and damaging the trust of those closest to him, and Nvidia announced that it was launching an independent investigation into the matter.
Since then, however, certain online accounts have taken aim at Mr Huang’s wife, Lori, to whom he has been married for more than 40 years. The couple met in their first year at Oregon State University when he was only 17, and she, 19, in a course where they were lab partners.
Five years later, the pair wed and went on to have two children, both of whom are employed at Nvidia.
Lori Mills-Huang heads the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation. Two years ago, it reported US$9.1 billion in net assets (S$11.67 billion). The foundation has donated generously to Oregon State University and Stanford University, as well as organisations that support mental health.
“I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did…Throughout my life, my family has given me love and support. They deserve my honesty and loyalty. Instead, I let them down and damaged the life we built together. To my wife and family: I love you. I know an apology cannot undo what I have done. I hope our family will heal and that, over time, I can earn back your trust,” Mr Huang wrote.
However, while he took full responsibility for his actions, others online appeared to decide that his wife was, at least in part, to blame. Unflattering photos of Ms Mills-Huang have been shared, mocking her appearance, and this has angered many netizens, especially women, who have said she deserves better.
“In the middle of a scandal involving one of the most powerful men in the world, something disturbing is happening. Look at how the three people involved are being portrayed.
The other woman is described as beautiful, sophisticated, and seductive enough to capture the attention of one of the world's most influential billionaires.
Jensen is portrayed as a man so powerful and valuable that he became the target of an alleged foreign intelligence operation.
And his wife? She's being judged for her appearance…
She grew older alongside the very man she chose to spend her life with. And somehow, people are now using her age and appearance to rationalise his infidelity. She grew old with him. So why is her ageing being used as an excuse for his betrayal?” an X user wrote.
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“She was faithful and loyal. Even if the mistress was more attractive, Jensen was a sc**bag for betraying his wife and kids,” added another.
“Money may buy attention and beauty, but it can't buy decades of shared memories, trust, loyalty, and a life built together. You can't replace the person who stood beside you long before the fame, fortune, and success. A lifetime of love, companionship, and shared experiences is worth far more than physical beauty, however fleeting or irresistible it may seem,” a third chimed in. /TISG