In Taiwan, Jensen Huang's 'flawless' image damaged by affairs

Jensen Huang, the former CEO of Nvidia, whose charismatic persona had made him a beloved figure in Taiwan, now faces a tarnished reputation due to revelations of two extramarital affairs. One affair involved a woman who was suspected of being a Chinese spy, leading to Huang's resignation from the company he founded.

The news has left many Taiwanese fans disheartened. Ivan Liang, a 28-year-old, expressed his disappointment, stating, "I thought he had the persona of a devoted husband, and it turns out he's kind of a scumbag." Leo Fu, a 42-year-old import distributor, echoed similar sentiments, saying, "I definitely think my perception of him has changed because, after all, he originally had that nation's dad image."

Even those who had a more personal connection with Huang, such as dessert shop owner Jane Hsieh, now feel saddened by the turn of events. She recalled, "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."

Huang's affair with Alice Huang, the suspected Chinese spy, has particularly upset people. Chen Yu-ting, a 38-year-old, commented, "If the other person really was trying to use him, it seems like he was just way too easily deceived." She added, "Given his status, he really should be paying much closer attention to the people around him and who he associates with."

While Huang's scandal has certainly tarnished his image, some Taiwanese are more concerned about the broader implications. Huang's contributions to Taiwan's economy, particularly through Nvidia and TSMC, have driven significant growth. Ivan Liang, in particular, expressed his worry, saying, "The market crashed... a few days ago, and then Nvidia's stock price just kept dropping and dropping and dropping."

He noted the interconnectedness of the US and Taiwan stock markets, saying, "Whatever he does is none of my business – I only care about my money."