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POLITICS

Get to know Rama Duwaji, Zohran Mamdani's wife and NYC's youngest first lady

Jay Stahl Alexa Juliana Ard
Nov. 7, 2025Updated Jan. 2, 2026, 11:18 a.m. ET
Rama Duwaji is a Syrian-American illustrator and animator. After the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City Mayor, she is now the city’s first Gen Z first lady. Pictured here, Duwaji and Mamdani wave during an election night event at The Brooklyn Paramount Theater in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Nov. 4, 2025. Mamdani was elected the 111th mayor of New York in a historic victory that will put an avowed democratic socialist in charge of the city that serves as the capital of global finance. Mamdani defeated Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the election for New York City mayor.
Rama Duwaji is a Syrian-American illustrator and animator. After the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City Mayor, she is now the city’s first Gen Z first lady. 

Pictured here, Duwaji and Mamdani wave during an election night event at The Brooklyn Paramount Theater in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Nov. 4, 2025. Mamdani was elected the 111th mayor of New York in a historic victory that will put an avowed democratic socialist in charge of the city that serves as the capital of global finance.

Mamdani defeated Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the election for New York City mayor.
Adam Gray, Bloomberg Via Getty Images
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji react as confetti falls during his inauguration ceremony in New York City, Jan. 1, 2026.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji react as confetti falls during his inauguration ceremony in New York City, Jan. 1, 2026.
Jeenah Moon, REUTERS
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, next to his wife Rama Duwaji, is sworn in by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) during Mamdani's inauguration ceremony in New York City, Jan. 1, 2026.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, next to his wife Rama Duwaji, is sworn in by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) during Mamdani's inauguration ceremony in New York City, Jan. 1, 2026.
Jeenah Moon, REUTERS
Duwaji obtained a master's degree in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, The Washington Post as well as Apple and Spotify.
Duwaji obtained a master's degree in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, The Washington Post as well as Apple and Spotify.
Jeenah Moon, Reuters
Duwaji and Mamdani met on the dating app Hinge, a rival to Tinder and Bumble. "I met my wife on Hinge so there is still hope in those dating apps," Mamdani said on The Bulwark podcast in June. The pair got married in early 2025.
Duwaji and Mamdani met on the dating app Hinge, a rival to Tinder and Bumble. "I met my wife on Hinge so there is still hope in those dating apps," Mamdani said on The Bulwark podcast in June. The pair got married in early 2025.
Adam Gray, Bloomberg Via Getty Images
Duwaji, 28, was born in Houston to Syrian parents, spending part of her childhood in Dubai.
Duwaji, 28, was born in Houston to Syrian parents, spending part of her childhood in Dubai.
Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Via Getty Images
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, vote in the local election at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School on Nov. 4, 2025.
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, vote in the local election at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School on Nov. 4, 2025.
Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket Via Getty Images
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, vote in the local election at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School on Nov. 4, 2025.
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, vote in the local election at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School on Nov. 4, 2025.
Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket Via Getty Images
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, vote in the local election at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School on Nov. 4, 2025.
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, vote in the local election at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School on Nov. 4, 2025.
Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket Via Getty Images
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani waves with his wife Rama Duwaji (L) after delivering remarks at his election night watch victory party at the Brooklyn Paramount on Nov. 4, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Mamdani defeated Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the election for New York City mayor.
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani waves with his wife Rama Duwaji (L) after delivering remarks at his election night watch victory party at the Brooklyn Paramount on Nov. 4, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Mamdani defeated Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the election for New York City mayor.
Andrew Lichtenstein, Corbis Via Getty Images
Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor of New York City, flanked by his wife Rama Duwaji and New York Attorney General Letitia James, at Old City Hall Station, New York, Jan. 1, 2026.
Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor of New York City, flanked by his wife Rama Duwaji and New York Attorney General Letitia James, at Old City Hall Station, New York, Jan. 1, 2026.
Amir Hamja, Pool Via REUTERS
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