Who is Zohran Mamdani’s wife? Inside the life of Rama Duwaji

When Zohran Mamdani was declared the next Mayor of New York City on Tuesday night, the cheers echoed far beyond the walls of City Hall. At just 33, Mamdani made history as the first Muslim mayor and the youngest to lead the city in over a century. But beside him, smiling with quiet pride, stood someone making history of her own — his wife, 28-year-old artist Rama Duwaji.

While Mamdani’s political career has captivated headlines, his love story with Rama feels more like a modern-day fairytale. The couple met on Hinge in 2021 — long before the mayoral campaign or the spotlight. At the time, Mamdani was a newly elected New York State Assemblyman, while Rama, a Syrian-American illustrator living in Brooklyn, had little interest in politics.

Their first date was charmingly simple — coffee at Qahwah House, a cozy Yemeni café, followed by a walk through McCarren Park. On their second outing, Mamdani gave her a personal tour of his Astoria district — the same neighborhood that would one day propel him to City Hall.

By October 2024, they were engaged. “Couldn’t possibly be prouder,” Rama wrote on Instagram, sharing a childhood photo of Mamdani alongside engagement pictures.

Just days later, Mamdani announced his campaign for mayor — and Rama was right by his side.

Their nikah and engagement party took place in Dubai, on a rooftop overlooking the Burj Khalifa. Surrounded by white roses and glowing city lights, it was described by their event designer, LMF Dubai, as “a floral installation set against Dubai’s dusky skyline.”

The New York Civil Ceremony

In February 2025, they made it official with a civil ceremony at the City Clerk’s Office in Lower Manhattan. One standout image from that day — a black-and-white shot of the couple riding the New York City subway — captured their essence perfectly: grounded, in love, and effortlessly authentic.

“Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama,” Mamdani later wrote online. “Now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race — which should be about you — about her. Rama isn’t just my wife; she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.”

Who Is Rama Duwaji?

Born in Houston, Texas, Rama spent part of her childhood in Dubai before returning to the U.S. to study. She earned her bachelor’s at Virginia Commonwealth University and her master’s in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Her work — featured in Vogue, The New Yorker, The Cut, and BBC — explores identity, womanhood, and displacement, often centered around Middle Eastern women and themes of resilience.

On Instagram, where she has over 250,000 followers, her art blends activism and emotion. “Art has the power to speak when words can’t,” she said in a recent interview. “I feel it’s my responsibility to highlight injustice — whether in the U.S., Palestine, or Syria — through creativity and compassion.”

Beyond illustration, Rama is also a ceramicist, creating hand-painted blue-and-white pottery pieces that carry her distinct artistic touch.

The Quiet Force Behind the Campaign

Though Rama kept a low profile during Mamdani’s campaign, she had a major influence behind the scenes. She helped design the campaign’s visual identity — a striking palette of Metrocard yellow, Mets blue, and firehouse red — colors that became instantly recognizable across posters and social media.

“She’s been a huge part of how we communicate visually,” a campaign staffer said. “Even if she’s not on stage, her influence is everywhere.”

From Brooklyn to Gracie Mansion

Now, as the couple prepares to move into Gracie Mansion, Rama Duwaji becomes New York City’s First Lady — and notably, the first member of Gen Z to hold the title.

The internet erupted in celebration. “The first-ever Gen Z First Lady of NYC!” one user posted. Another wrote, “Rama Duwaji is redefining what it means to stand beside power — not behind it.”