Politics
Who Is Rama Duwaji? 5 Things to Know About NYC Mayoral Frontrunner Zohran Mamdani’s 28-Year-Old Wife
Election day is upon us again, and come November 4, New York City will have a new mayor. Even if you don’t live in the Big Apple, you’ve probably heard of the Democratic candidate in the race, Zohran Mamdani, who was catapulted into the national spotlight after his surprise victory against former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary in June.
If the 34-year-old frontrunner wins—he’s up against Republican Curtis Sliwa as well as Cuomo on the independent ticket—New York City will also be getting a new first lady, Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji. The 28-year-old artist has mostly stayed out of the spotlight during her husband’s campaign, declining interviews and sharing rare messages of support for Mamdani on her Instagram page. Below, find out what we do know about her.
She Had an International Upbringing
Duwaji is of Syrian heritage, but was born in Houston, Texas. According to The New York Times, she moved to Dubai as a child and lived there until she eventually returned to the United States to attend college at Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in communication arts. Postgrad, she did artist residencies in Beirut and Paris, per the publication.
2021 Was a Big Year For Her
It was in 2021 that Duwaji moved to New York City and, that same year, met Mamdani, then a relatively unknown New York State Assemblyman.
You May Have Seen Her Drawings Before
A professional artist, Duwaji has created illustrations for publications including Vogue and New York magazines. She received a master of fine arts degree in illustration as visual essay from the School of Visual Arts in 2024.
She and Mamdani Have Hinge to Thank for Their Romance…
Like many millennial and gen z couples, Duwaji and Mamdani met on the online dating app Hinge.
…and the Pair Are Still Newlyweds
In May, Mamdani posted a carousel of photos from the pair’s New York City courthouse wedding, revealing that they’d tied the knot three months prior.
