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Zohran Mamdani met an illustrator on Hinge, then married her. Who is Rama Duwaji?
For months, Rama Duwaji kept a low profile — a quiet figure in the background of one of New York's most closely watched political campaigns. But that changed on Tuesday night. As Zohran Mamdani declared victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, all eyes turned to his wife.
The 33-year-old state assemblyman shocked many by defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo, securing more than 43 per cent of the vote compared to Cuomo's 36 per cent, in one of the biggest political upsets in decades, the Wall Street Journal reported.
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During his victory speech in Queens, Mamdani didn't miss the chance to honour the person who'd quietly supported him through it all. 'I must thank my incredible wife. Rama, thank you,' he said warmly, kissing her hand as the crowd applauded. Duwaji, 27, beamed by his side, sharing that she 'couldn't possibly be prouder' of her husband's achievement.
New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) kisses the hand of his wife Rama Duwaji as they celebrate during an election night gathering. AFP
If Mamdani unseats incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Republican opponent Curtis Sliwa in November, he would become New York City's first Muslim mayor — and Duwaji, its First Lady.
Here's what we know about her.
A Syrian American artist with strong political opinions
Before stepping into the public spotlight through her husband's political win, Duwaji had carved out a space for herself in the world of art and activism.
Originally from Damascus, Syria, Duwaji moved to New York in 2021. According to her L'AiR Arts bio, she has graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in communication design. Today, she's known as a Syrian-American illustrator whose work focuses on identity, resistance, and injustice, often through a pro-Palestinian lens.
Her artwork doesn't shy away from making bold statements. One of her animations from May shows a young Palestinian girl holding an empty pot with the words 'Not a hunger crisis' across it. The scene then shifts to a group of people holding similar pots, overlaid with the words, 'It is deliberate starvation.'
Alongside the post, she wrote, 'As I was making this, Israel has been bombing Gaza nonstop with consecutive airstrikes,' and added a link to a nonprofit supporting refugees and displaced communities.
Duwaji has carved out a space for herself in the world of art and activism. She has collaborated with major global organisations, including The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple, Spotify, VICE, and the Tate Modern in London. Reuters
In an interview earlier this year, Duwaji was asked whether artists should speak out about global issues. Quoting singer Nina Simone, she said, 'An artist's duty as far as I'm concerned is to reflect the times.' She added, 'I believe everyone has a responsibility to speak out against injustice… Art has such an ability to spread it.'
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'I don't think everybody has to make political work,' she continued, 'but art is inherently political in how it's made, funded, and shared. Even creating art as a refuge from the horrors we see is political to me. It's a reaction to the world around us,' she told the AP.
Her work has reached far and wide. Duwaji has collaborated with major global organisations, including The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple, Spotify, VICE, and the Tate Modern in London.
She also shares much of her work on Instagram, where she has over 1 lakh followers. Her posts often feature striking illustrations that call out Israeli state violence and criticise US policies around the conflict.
From a dating app to wedding vows: Their love story
Rama Duwaji and Zohran Mamdani's story is as modern as it gets — it started with a swipe.
'I met my wife on Hinge, so there is still hope in those dating apps,' Mamdani joked during an episode of The Bulwark podcast, laughing.
While the couple hasn't shared exactly when they matched, Mamdani posted a photo on Instagram in April 2022, taken by Duwaji, hinting that their relationship was already blossoming then.
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By October 2024, the pair appeared to be engaged — Mamdani shared a photo of Duwaji with a ring emoji and the hashtag '#hardlaunch,' along with the caption, 'Light of my life.' Friends and followers quickly flooded the post with congratulatory messages.
Earlier this year, the couple made it official with a civil ceremony at the New York City Clerk's Office, a place Mamdani called his favourite building in the city.
'The outside is just so beautiful and reminiscent of a different New York City, and the inside is in many ways public goods personified,' he told Interview Magazine. 'All of these New Yorkers getting married at the same time at different ages and at different times in their lives, it's very beautiful.'
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The two marked the moment with a poetic black-and-white photo that showed them in a New York City subway car, dressed simply, bouquet in hand, surrounded by unbothered commuters.
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's wife Rama Duwaji is a Syrian-born illustrator and animator based out of Brooklyn, NYC. Instagram/@zohrankmamdani
They later held a private nikkah (Islamic wedding ceremony) in Dubai, where Duwaji's family is based.
But their relationship hasn't been all smooth sailing. During his campaign, Mamdani spoke out about the online abuse Duwaji received.
'Rama isn't just my wife. She's an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms,' he wrote on social media. 'You can critique my views, but not my family.'
Through it all, she's stood by his side — quietly powerful, and now, unmistakably part of the public conversation.
With input from agencies
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