Who is Zohran Mamdani’s wife? Inside the life of Rama Duwaji

When Zohran Mamdani was declared the next mayor of New York City on Tuesday night, the victory marked a historic milestone. Mamdani became both the city’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest leader in more than a century. As supporters celebrated, another figure quietly stood beside him, sharing in a moment that would also change her life — his wife, 28-year-old artist Rama Duwaji.

While Mamdani’s political ascent has drawn national attention, the story of how he and Duwaji met traces a far more personal path. Their relationship began in 2021 on the dating app Hinge, at a time when Mamdani had recently been elected to the New York State Assembly. Duwaji, a Syrian-American illustrator living in Brooklyn, had little familiarity with local politics, and Mamdani was still largely unknown outside his district.

Their early dates were simple and understated. The couple met for coffee at Qahwah House, a Yemeni café in Brooklyn, followed by a walk through McCarren Park. A second date included a tour of Mamdani’s Astoria district, a neighborhood that would later play a key role in his mayoral campaign.

By October 2024, their relationship had reached a new chapter when they became engaged. Duwaji shared the news online with a message that read, “Couldn’t possibly be prouder,” alongside photos of the couple and a childhood image of Mamdani.

Soon after the engagement announcement, Mamdani launched his mayoral campaign. In December, the couple celebrated their nikah and engagement with a ceremony in Dubai. The rooftop event, overlooking the Burj Khalifa, featured white roses and flowing greenery. The event designer later described the occasion by writing, “This engagement and Nikkah were more than an event — it was a floral installation set against Dubai’s dusky skyline.”

As Mamdani’s campaign gained momentum, Duwaji remained largely out of the public spotlight. Yet her presence, both personal and creative, was becoming an integral part of the journey — a story that would continue to unfold far beyond the campaign trail.

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