Jensen Huang's wife Lori was an engineer and earned more than him before Nvidia

Lori Huang studied electrical engineering at Oregon State University, worked as a chip designer in Silicon Valley and once earned more than her future husband, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Here's a look at her education, early career, their university romance and her philanthropic work supporting STEM education and research.Lori Huang studied electrical engineering at Oregon State University, worked as a chip designer in Silicon Valley and once earned more than her future husband, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. (Photo: Getty Images)New Delhi,Nov 12, 2026 16:08 ISTBefore Jensen Huang became the billionaire CEO of Nvidia, his future wife Lori Huang was already making more money than he was.The two met as engineering students at Oregon State University in the US, where they were paired as laboratory partners. Decades before Nvidia became one of the world's biggest technology companies, Lori was building her own career in the semiconductor industry.Her story is an interesting part of the journey behind one of the world's most powerful tech families.FROM ENGINEERING CLASSROOM TO SILICON VALLEYLori, born Lori Mills, studied electrical engineering at Oregon State University. She graduated in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in the subject. She met Jensen while they were studying engineering at the university. In a 2023 profile by The New Yorker, Jensen recalled that Lori was one of only three women in a class of around 250 students.He tried to win her over by asking her to study with him every Sunday. His promise? She would get straight As if she did her homework with him. The study sessions eventually turned into a relationship. The couple married in 1985.After graduating, both moved into Silicon Valley's semiconductor industry, working as chip designers. Jensen later admitted that Lori actually earned more than him at the time.It was a rather different beginning for a couple who would eventually become one of the most influential families in technology. (Photo: AP) A CAREER THAT TOOK A DIFFERENT TURNWhile Jensen went on to co-found Nvidia in 1993, Lori eventually stepped away from her professional career to raise their two children, Madison and Spencer.However, her association with technology and education did not end there.Lori is the president of the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation, established by the couple in 2007. The foundation supports higher education, public health and STEM initiatives.The Huangs have also made substantial contributions to their alma mater.In 2022, they donated $50 million to Oregon State University to help establish the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex. The centre supports research and education in artificial intelligence, robotics, materials science and other fields.The university described the gift as part of a larger effort to advance research and technological innovation.HER PLACE IN NVIDIA'S JOURNEYLori has largely stayed away from the corporate spotlight, unlike her husband, who has become one of the most recognisable faces of the AI revolution.But Jensen has acknowledged her presence throughout his professional journey.Their story began in an engineering classroom, long before Nvidia, billion-dollar valuations and the global AI race.And before the world knew Jensen Huang as a tech billionaire, his future wife was already earning more than him.- Ends