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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and his wife, Lori Huang, arrive at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 8 (local time). /AP-Yonhap News Agency

Speculation has emerged that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang could face the largest divorce property settlement in history if he divorces his wife, following his admission of an inappropriate relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based data center company Megaspeed who is suspected of having ties to Chinese intelligence agencies.

U.S. business magazine Forbes reported that Huang is one of the world's 10 richest people but that Nvidia shares had fallen amid the affair scandal. The magazine estimated his net worth at approximately $155.2 billion (about 207.3 trillion won) as of 4 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Nov. 9.

Under California's community property laws, which apply in the state where Huang and his wife live and where Nvidia is headquartered, Huang would have to split marital assets and debts, including income, stocks and real estate acquired during the marriage, equally with his wife, Lori Huang, in the event of a divorce.

The actual amount could differ from estimates depending on various factors, including any prenuptial agreement and whether certain assets are recognized as separate property. However, a simple calculation suggests that Lori Huang could receive approximately $77.6 billion (about 103.6 trillion won).

Huang founded Nvidia in 1993, after marrying in 1985, meaning that his company shares and salary would all be subject to division. Huang has said of Lori, "She has been with me every step of the way at Nvidia."

According to Nvidia's 2026 proxy statement, Huang holds most of his company shares through trusts jointly managed with Lori Huang.

In a statement released on Nov. 8, Huang apologized for his affair, saying, "I hurt my wife and my children," and added, "I take full responsibility for what I did and the hurt I caused."

Lori Huang, meanwhile, has not publicly stated her position on whether she intends to continue the marriage or on related matters. If the divorce proceedings were to result in an equal division of Huang's wealth as projected, it could become the largest divorce property settlement in history.

Previously, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos transferred approximately $36 billion (about 48.1 trillion won) worth of Amazon shares to his then-wife MacKenzie Scott when they divorced in 2019.

Although the exact amount of assets divided in the 2021 divorce of Microsoft (MS) founder Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates has not been clearly disclosed, Melinda is estimated to have received billions of dollars at the time.

This includes at least $12.5 billion (about 16.7 trillion won) that Gates provided to support Melinda's personal philanthropic activities, as well as billions of dollars worth of shares transferred over several years after their divorce.

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min