Jensen Huang has admitted to an affair in a memo sent to Nvidia staff, apologising to his wife and children as the company’s board opened an independent inquiry into security concerns flagged in news reports. The admission landed on Sunday, the same day Nvidia confirmed it was examining the chief executive’s relationship with Alice Huang, described in reports as an AI executive working as an agent of the Chinese government.

The memo opened with a direct apology to his family and to the people he works with. “I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry,” Huang wrote. He said he accepted full responsibility for the hurt he had caused, along with any criticism that followed.

He told colleagues that his family had given him love and support his whole life and that he had repaid them by damaging what they had built together. Turning to them directly, he wrote: “To my wife and family: I love you.” He said he hoped the family could heal and that he might, in time, win back their trust.

The note also reached the board, partners and shareholders. Huang said serving them was the honour of his career, that he had failed in that duty and that he remained committed to the company and would work to restore their confidence.

On the security questions, Huang said he backed the board’s inquiry and would cooperate without reservation. He said he loved his country and the company, pledged to protect Nvidia and support national security and said he was proud and grateful to be an American.

He ended by asking that his relatives be shielded from the fallout. “My family bears no responsibility for my choices. I do. Please give them privacy,” he wrote.