Who Is Rama Duwaji, Wife of Newly Elected NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani
His artist wife, whose discreet inventiveness and protective privacy have now become part of the city’s
biggest story, has also discreetly attracted public attention as New York City celebrates its newest mayor.
The election of 34-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as the future mayor of the Big Apple
has completely changed the political landscape of the city and surprised even longtime watchers.
As the festivities surrounding his triumph subsided, a new tale emerged in the background: that of his
wife, Brooklyn artist Rama Duwaji, whose kind features had abruptly been exposed to the spotlight of the city.
After graduating from college and working as a freelance illustrator, Duwaji met Mamdani on the dating app Hinge in 2021. Their modern fairytale romance quickly took off. In early 2025, they exchanged vows at the City Clerk’s office.
In the Public Eye: A Private Muse
On May 12, 2025, Mamdani opened up in a deeply intimate Instagram post:
“I was married to my soulmate, Rama, in the City Clerk’s office three months ago.
Right-wing trolls are now attempting to turn this contest, which ought to be about you, into one about her.
Rama is more than just my spouse; she is a remarkable artist who merits recognition according to her own standards.
Duwaji has been conspicuously absent from the spotlight, despite the fact that he has been a topic of
great interest since Mamdani’s campaign gained momentum.
She refused all media after the primary election, stating that the unexpected influx of publicity was too
much to handle, according to The New York Times.
However, Duwaji is already a cherished figure among her close friends and family. Hasnain Bhatti, a 32-
year-old photographer, said bluntly, “She’s our modern day Princess Diana.”
Her Voice, Art, and Syrian Heritage
Duwaji, who was born in the US, has talked a lot about the complexities of her identity as a Syrian
American. She disclosed on a podcast that “I was born in the States and lived here till I was nine.
” She went on to say that she occasionally denied that aspect of herself, telling people she was simply
American, prior to the Syrian conflict.
As a Syrian illustrator and animator, Duwaji has established a reputation for herself in the industry by exploring themes of community and sisterhood in her work.
Her outstanding portfolio, which includes work for The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple,
Spotify, VICE, and Tate Modern, was created while she was working from her studio in Brooklyn.
By conducting illustration and animation workshops with It’s Nice That, a digital media company and
creative publisher based in London, in 2021, she has also contributed her skills to the future generation
of creators.
Duwaji combines her passion for illustration and ceramics to create handcrafted ceramic works, which
provide as a tangible outlet for her artistic vision, even though the majority of her work is digital.
Duwaji graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2024 with an MFA in Illustration as a Visual Essay.
Her thesis piece, “Sahtain!” (Arabic for “bon appétit”), turned the communal cooking experience into a striking reflection on joy, remembrance, and togetherness.
Her graduate program’s chair, Riccardo Vecchio, praised her commitment. He described her as “Very
focused on her work,” highlighting her dedication to examining viewpoints that are underrepresented in Western art.
His Vision, Politics, and Ugandan Heritage
Mamdani himself is a similarly outstanding character who stands next to her. He represented the 36th Assembly District, which includes Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway, and Astoria Heights, prior to entering City Hall.
He was born in Kampala, Uganda, moved to New York City when he was seven years old, and in 2018 he obtained U.S. citizenship.
After graduating from Bowdoin College with a degree in Africana Studies and the Bronx High School of
Science, Mamdani’s life changed course when he began working as a foreclosure prevention housing
consultant in Queens, assisting low-income families.
He claimed the event sparked his political career and made him more aware of structural injustice.
Mamdani has advocated a radical message since joining the public sector: dignity shouldn’t be determined by the market.
Being the first South Asian man, the first Ugandan, and only the third Muslim elected to the New York State Assembly, his ascent has also been historic.
“First Lady, Rama Is Giving!” Social Media Booms
However, as Mamdani celebrated his win, attention turned to his wife on the internet, with adoration and passion crashing into each other.
“Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani on defeating Andrew Cuomo,” wrote one admirer on X. Without a
doubt, Rama is the most beautiful First Lady in NYC’s history.
Someone another added, “mamdanis wife rama duwaji is so beautiful it really goes to show how being a kindhearted and friendly man will get you a beautiful and artistic wife [sic].”
“Will Rama Duwaji become the most beautiful First Lady in American history?” was the sentiment expressed in a third post. Perhaps.
Not far behind was Reddit. One person exclaimed, “That face card is deadly.” One person said, “She is
[sic] real stunner!” while another said, “She is stunning!” The adulation was much more poetic on TikTok.
“Whoa, she reminds me so much of Princess Diana. One viewer said, “Her eyes are so expressive 💕.” Another said, “First lady, Rama is giving! So poised! ✨♥.
Duwaji is already creating a new vision of what a First Lady can be: someone who represents creativity,
empathy, and quiet power, regardless of whether she decides to enter the public eye or stay in the background.
