Meet Rama Duwaji, Zohran Mamdani’s Artistic Partner in NYC History
If you’ve been following New York City politics this year, you’ve probably heard a lot about Zohran Mamdani, the city’s newly elected mayor. But today, I want to introduce you to someone who has stayed largely out of the spotlight—Rama Duwaji, Mamdani’s wife, and potentially the city’s first Gen Z first lady. Unlike the traditional image of a first lady, Rama isn’t making headlines with campaign appearances or magazine covers. She has deliberately stayed in the background, supporting her husband behind the scenes, while continuing to build her own artistic career.
Rama Duwaji is a 28-year-old artist whose work reflects her Syrian heritage and her passion for Middle Eastern issues, particularly the plight of Palestinians. Her illustrations, which have appeared in publications like The Cut, BBC, Vogue, and The New Yorker, are often bold, politically charged, and deeply personal. While her Instagram doesn’t usually feature her personal life, she did share a single post during the June primary, celebrating Mamdani’s victory with a few family photos and a simple caption: “Couldn’t possibly be prouder.”
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Her journey to the heart of New York politics began when she met Mamdani on a dating app called Hinge in 2021. At the time, Mamdani had just been elected to the New York State Assembly, a fact Duwaji initially knew little about. Their first date was simple: a meal at a Yemeni coffee shop in Brooklyn followed by a stroll through McCarren Park. Their connection deepened over subsequent dates, including one where Mamdani showed her his legislative district in Astoria, Queens. A few years later, in October 2024, they got engaged, shortly before Mamdani launched his campaign for mayor. They tied the knot in a quiet courthouse ceremony in Manhattan this February after celebrating in Dubai.
While Duwaji has not sought the public eye, she has quietly contributed to Mamdani’s campaign. She has advised on social media strategy, helped finalize campaign branding, and ensured the visual identity of the campaign reflects a unique New York character—bright colors reminiscent of MetroCard orange, New York Mets blue, and firehouse red, paired with bold, approachable typography.
Even though she hasn’t taken a traditional political role, her presence is felt. She has attended key moments in Mamdani’s campaign, from primary night celebrations to rallies featuring figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, and even accompanied him on “The Daily Show.” And while she may not appear at every event, her influence on the campaign and her quiet support for her husband’s work is undeniable.
If Mamdani’s win marks history as New York City’s youngest and first Muslim mayor in a century, Rama Duwaji will also make history as the first Gen Z first lady. But true to her character, she will likely continue defining the role on her own terms: an accomplished artist, a political supporter behind the scenes, and a voice for causes she cares about, navigating the glare of public life with the same quiet confidence that has shaped her journey so far.
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