Amid the flashing cameras and cheering crowds at his election night rally, Zohran Mamdani had one person in his line of sight, his wife, Rama Duwaji. During his victory speech, Mamdani paused and turned to her. “And to my incredible wife, Rama, hayati,” he said, using the Arabic word for “my life.” “There is no one I would rather have by my side in this moment, and in every moment.”
At 28, Duwaji is set to become the youngest first lady in the city’s history, but long before the mayor-elect’s name dominated headlines, she had carved out her own space in the world as an illustrator, animator, and storyteller.
© Alexi J. RosenfeldInside their love story:
Few would have guessed that Mamdani and Duwaji, who have been together since at least April 2022, first met on a dating app. “There is still hope in those dating apps,” Mamdani told The Bulwark podcast, reflecting on their Hinge connection.
Their romance was largely private, carefully shielded from the political glare until May 2025, when Mamdani shared a rare and heartfelt Instagram tribute. “Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk’s office,” he wrote. “Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.”
© Michael M. SantiagoThe civil ceremony itself was intimate. Before the civil ceremony in New York, the pair celebrated their engagement in Dubai with a small gathering of loved ones. Social media hints suggest the couple officially marked the engagement in October 2024, with Mamdani captioning a photo of Duwaji, “Light of my life.”
Who is Rama Duwaji?
Born in Texas to a Syrian family, Duwaji spent parts of her childhood in Dubai and Qatar. Her Instagram bio notes her Damascus roots, though campaign materials clarified she is ethnically Syrian and American-born. She moved to New York in 2021, fulfilling a long-held desire to live in the city, and is now based in Brooklyn.
© Spencer PlattDuwaji’s artistic journey began with a BFA in communication design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her work spans illustration, animation, and hand-built ceramics. She has created projects for major outlets, including The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple, Spotify, Vice, and Tate Modern.
As she told Yung Mea in April 2025, “These days, I focus on making art about my experiences and the things I care about, and the community that forms from conversations about my work, both online and in person, happens organically.
© Michael M. SantiagoShe continued, "I make my work for people who care about the things I care about. If it happens to engage someone or loop them into a conversation about politics or community they might not have thought of being a part of, it is an added bonus instead of the actual goal of making art."
Duwaji’s art often reflects her personal and political interests, exploring Middle Eastern themes, social justice, and human rights. While Mamdani’s profile skyrocketed during the mayoral campaign, Duwaji largely remained behind the scenes.
Their political future:
CNN reported that Duwaji was instrumental behind the scenes in the campaign, helping finalize Mamdani’s bold brand identity, including the striking yellow, orange, and blue visuals. Friends describe her as quietly brilliant and deeply supportive.
© Pacific PressDespite the spotlight, Duwaji keeps her social media focused on art rather than politics. She occasionally shares glimpses of her private life with Mamdani. Following his primary victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, she posted a photobooth strip of the couple with the caption, “couldn’t possibly be prouder.”
© ANGELINA KATSANISRama Duwaji’s life is now intertwined with the city’s political future. Yet she remains her own person, a storyteller, a creative force, and a deeply committed partner. “Rama isn’t just my wife; she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms,” Mamdani said in May.
And as New Yorkers watch the city’s next chapter unfold under their mayor, Duwaji’s art, presence, and vision will undoubtedly continue to resonate, quietly shaping the cultural landscape from Brooklyn and beyond.
