From Private Partner to New York City’s First Lady
In February 2025, Zohran Mamdani and Rama Duwaji formalized their marriage with a civil ceremony at the City Clerk’s Office in Lower Manhattan. Mamdani later shared photos from the day, including a black-and-white image taken on the New York City subway at Union Square. In the photo, Duwaji wore a white dress and black boots while holding a bouquet, standing among commuters unaware they were riding alongside the city’s future first couple.
Mamdani addressed public scrutiny surrounding his wife in a message that read: “Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk’s office. Now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race — which should be about you — about her. Rama isn’t just my wife; she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms. You can critique my views, but not my family.”
Duwaji’s background reflects a global upbringing and deep artistic focus. Born in Houston, Texas, she moved with her family to Dubai at age nine before returning to the United States for college. She studied at Virginia Commonwealth University and later earned a master’s degree in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Her work has appeared in outlets including The Cut, Vogue, The New Yorker, and the BBC, often exploring themes of identity, womanhood, and displacement.
Speaking earlier this year, Duwaji said, ”I believe everyone has a responsibility to speak out against injustice, and art has such an ability to spread it,” adding, “With so many people being pushed out and silenced by fear, all I can do is use my voice to speak out about what’s happening in the US and Palestine and Syria as much as I can.”
Beyond her illustration work, she also creates hand-painted ceramics featuring her signature designs. Although she avoided traditional campaign appearances, Duwaji played a key behind-the-scenes role by helping shape Mamdani’s campaign branding. A staff member described her influence by saying, “She’s been a huge influence on how we present our message. Even if she’s not on stage, she’s everywhere.”
Now preparing to move into Gracie Mansion, Duwaji is set to become New York City’s First Lady and the first member of Gen Z to hold the title. Online reactions reflected the historic nature of the moment, with one user writing: “If Mamdani wins the election, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest in a century, Duwaji too would be positioned to make and shape history. She would be the first member of Gen Z to serve as New York City’s first lady.”
As Mamdani begins his term, the couple’s story reflects a new model of political partnership — one shaped by creativity, restraint, and shared conviction rather than convention.