Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jensen Huang

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jensen Huang made an impact.

Jensen Huang is the CEO, co-founder, and president of Nvidia, a leading semiconductor company. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is $164 billion, ranking him among the wealthiest people globally. Huang's leadership has been pivotal in Nvidia's growth and dominance in the semiconductor industry.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1978: Huang's First Job at Denny's

In 1978, at the age of 15, Jensen Huang began working the graveyard shift at a local Denny's restaurant as a dishwasher, busboy, and waiter.

1983: Huang Ends Job at Denny's

In 1983, Jensen Huang ended his job at Denny's where he had been working since 1978.

1987: Revenue Increase at Sun Microsystems

In 1987 Sun Microsystems' revenue was $262 million.

1989: Finalization of GX Graphics Engine

In 1989, Huang, Malachowsky, and Priem finalized the accelerator, which they called the "GX graphics engine".

1990: Huang Resigns from Sun Microsystems

After business slowed for Sun Microsystems, in 1990, Jensen Huang, along with Priem and Malachowsky, resigned to start a venture making graphics chips for PC games.

1990: Revenue Increase at Sun Microsystems

In 1990 Sun Microsystems' revenue was $656 million, aided by the GX graphics engine.

1992: Meetings at Denny's to Formulate Business Plan

In 1992, Jensen Huang, Priem, and Malachowsky met frequently at a Denny's roadside diner in East San Jose to formulate a business plan for their new company, Nvidia. They founded the company during one meeting at a breakfast booth at the diner.

April 5, 1993: Nvidia's Incorporation

On April 5, 1993, Jensen Huang personally signed Nvidia's original articles of incorporation into effect.

1993: Challenges in Starting Nvidia

In 1993, Jensen Huang and his co-founders faced significant challenges in starting Nvidia, realizing it was much harder than they anticipated.

1993: Huang launched Nvidia

In 1993, after earning his master's degree from Stanford University, Jensen Huang, at age 30, launched Nvidia from a local Denny's restaurant, and has remained its president and CEO since its founding.

August 1997: Release of RIVA 128

In August 1997, Nvidia released the RIVA 128, which saved the company from near bankruptcy, with only one month of payroll remaining.

1999: Nvidia Goes Public

In 1999, Nvidia's stock went public.

2007: Huang's Salary as CEO

In 2007, Jensen Huang earned US$24.6 million as CEO, ranking him as the 61st highest paid U.S. CEO by Forbes.

2008: Nvidia's Contribution to Wenchuan Earthquake Relief

In 2008, Nvidia contributed funds to establish a classroom at the Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School for students affected by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Jensen Huang also donated US$30 million to Stanford University to establish the Jen-Hsun Huang School of Engineering Center.

2019: Huang Donates to Oneida Baptist Institute

In 2019, Jensen Huang donated $2 million to his former school, Oneida Baptist Institute, for the construction of Huang Hall.

2022: Huang Donates to Oregon State University

In 2022, Jensen Huang gifted US$50 million to Oregon State University as part of a US$200 million philanthropic contribution to establish a supercomputing institute.

November 2024: Huang's Management Style in November 2024

As of November 2024, Jensen Huang maintains a relatively flat management structure at Nvidia, with around 60 direct reports.

2024: Huang's Tenure as Nvidia CEO

As of 2024, Jensen Huang has been Nvidia's chief executive for over three decades.

January 2025: Huang's Keynote at Consumer Electronics Show

In January 2025, Jensen Huang delivered the keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and announced a new gaming chip called the GeForce RTX 50-series and new chips for both PCs and laptops.

May 2025: Huang Visits Taiwan for Computex and World Masters Games

In May 2025, Jensen Huang traveled to Taiwan to deliver the keynote address at Computex 2025 and attend the opening ceremony of the World Masters Games as a guest of honor, with "Jensanity" recurring during his visit.