Jensen Huang (pic), the former boss of tech titan Nvidia, was once feted like a rock star on visits to his birthplace, posing for selfies with fans and being mobbed by journalists.
His spectacular downfall might change that.
Huang’s once “flawless” image in Taiwan has been shattered by revelations of two extramarital affairs that forced him to resign from the company he founded.
“I thought he had the persona of a devoted husband, and it turns out he’s kind of a scumbag,” Ivan Liang, 28, said during his lunch break on Friday.
Huang has been a source of pride and inspiration for many Taiwanese. While other tech titans kept a low profile, Huang was chatty and charming in public, readily signing autographs and posing for photos.
“I definitely think my perception of him has changed because, after all, he originally had that ‘nation’s dad’ image,” said Leo Fu, a 42-year-old import distributor.
Dessert shop owner Jane Hsieh, 70, still has fond memories of Huang visiting her store on multiple occasions for one of her traditional tofu puddings.
“Before this, he felt like such a flawless person,” Hsieh said in her shop, where photos of her and her husband posing with the leather-jacketed Huang, his wife Lori, and son Spencer, are proudly displayed.
“It’s just a shame because he gave everyone the impression that he was a really great guy, and he was always very polite when he came here,” she said.
While her feelings about Huang have changed as a result of the affairs, Hsieh said she would not remove the photos from her shop.
“Why kick someone when they’re down?” she said.
At the restaurant where one of Huang’s lovers was filmed kissing him on the cheek in May 2025, a plate signed by Huang on the same night is still on display.
Staff were reluctant to talk about the infamous evening, only saying they were always focused on serving their customers.
“I think it’s pretty outrageous,” 38-year-old Chen Yu-ting, who works in finance.
“If the other person really was trying to use him, it seems like he was just way too easily deceived,” she said.
While Huang’s affairs have tarnished his reputation, some Taiwanese are more concerned about the impact the scandal could have on Taiwan’s economy and stock market.
Huang has generated huge amounts of wealth for the island at the centre of the global AI technology boom.
Nvidia’s advanced chips critical to the AI buildout are made by Taiwanese tech titan TSMC and have helped drive Taiwans’ stocks to record highs and push its economy into double-digit growth.
Liang, who works in imports and exports, said he was “very worried”.
“The market crashed... a few days ago, and then Nvidia’s stock price just kept dropping and dropping and dropping,” Liang said.
“Whatever he does is none of my business – I only care about my money.” — AFP
