TAIPEI – Taiwan-born Jensen Huang, the former boss of Nvidia, was feted like a rock star on visits to his birthplace, posing for selfies with fans and being mobbed by journalists.
Huang’s once “flawless” image in Taiwan has been shattered by revelations of two extramarital affairs – including one with a woman accused of being a Chinese spy – 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, told AFP during his lunch break on Nov 13.
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.
“I feel like that image of him has probably taken a hit in the eyes of the general public in Taiwan.”
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.
