Who Is Rama Duwaji, Wife of Newly Elected NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Following the unexpected election of 34-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor, public attention has turned to his wife, artist Rama Duwaji. Her privacy and creative career have suddenly become part of the city’s narrative.
Duwaji, a Brooklyn-based illustrator and animator, met Mamdani on the dating app Hinge in 2021. The couple married in a ceremony at the City Clerk’s office in early 2025.
Despite the newfound spotlight, Duwaji has deliberately avoided the press. Mamdani has publicly defended her, stating she is an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms, not through political gossip.
Her artistic work explores themes of sisterhood and community, and her client list includes major publications like The New Yorker and institutions like the Tate Modern. She holds an MFA in Illustration.
Born in the U.S., Duwaji has spoken about her Syrian American identity. Her graduate thesis, “Sahtain!”, was a visual meditation on memory and belonging through food.
Meanwhile, Mamdani’s own story is historic. Born in Uganda, he immigrated to New York as a child. He is the first South Asian man and the first Ugandan elected to the state Assembly.
On social media, Duwaji has been met with widespread admiration, with many users praising her beauty and poise. She is already reshaping the traditional image of a political spouse through her art and quiet presence.
