Who Is NYC's "First Lady"? Introducing Rama Duwaji
Everything you need to know about the Brooklyn artist and Zohran Mamdani's wife.
Zohran Mamdani captured the hearts of many during the primary mayoral election earlier this year, and on Tuesday, he triumphantly became New York City's first Muslim mayor and its first mayor born in Africa, as well as the youngest mayor since 1892. Following his victory on Tuesday night, Mamdani addressed Rama Duwaji, his wife, in a sentimental moment: "“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.”
Rama Duwaji has shot to fame over the past months, primarily, due to the fact that she is the wife of NYC's polarizingly progressive new mayor. But despite her avoidance of the spotlight, there are a few things to know about Duwaji. Firstly, she's an artist, and has been credited for having a heavy hand in designing Mamadani's campaign assets (which many have attributed to his win). She's also of Syrian descent, met her husband on Hinge, and is being touted as NYC's aloof cool-girl first lady. Ahead, everything you need to know about Rama Duwaji.
She Is An Artist
Duwaji, 28, who is of Syrian Damascus ethnicity but grew up in Texas, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University before going on to earn her masters in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her work is largely black and white and illustrative in nature, and focuses on themes around Arabic heritage. "Using drawn portraiture and movement, Rama examines the nuances of sisterhood and communal experiences," her professional website reads.
“Rama isn’t just my wife; she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms,” Mamdani wrote on Instagram in May.
She Met Her Husband On Hinge
Modern couple alert! Duwaji and Mamdani reportedly met on Hinge, and while there has never been a specific timeline, their first post as a couple was back in 2022. The pair got engaged in 2024 and married in 2025.
They Got Married At The Clerks City Office
According to an April 2025 conversation with Mamdani in Interview Magazine, Duwaji and her husband got married in a civil ceremony at the City Clerk's office in early 2025. In the interview Mamdani spoke about why he "loved that building,” noting “the outside is just so beautiful and reminiscent of a different New York City, and the inside is in many ways public goods personified."
She Is The Certified Coolest First Lady New York Has Seen
From her progressive politics, to extensive knowledge of the art world, to her keen design skills that many have attributed Mamdani's eletcoral success to, Duwaji also posseses a sense of Brooklyn cool girl energy that many perhaps didn't expect to see land somewhat of a position in politics. Though she has stayed largely out of the spotlight during Mamdani's campaign, it hasn't stopped her from supporting him in the background, doing it all in off the shoulder t-shirts, jorts, cowboy boots, layered gold jewellery, and more.
Her reluctancy hasn't stopped her from being in and around the fashion scene, either. This September, Duwaji sat first row at Rachel Scott's Spring/Summer 2026 Diotima show, showing her support for an emerging brand helmed by a young Black designer. For the election this week, Duwaji was styled by Bailey Moon, who has worked with former first lady Jill Biden, Pamela Anderson, and Rebecca Hall.
