Zohran Mamdani emerged victorious in the recent New York City Mayoral election, securing over a million votes. At 34 years old, Mamdani made history as the first Muslim, South Asian mayor of the city and also holds the title of the youngest mayor to date.
Scheduled to assume office in January, Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, an accomplished illustrator, is poised to become the city’s inaugural Gen Z First Lady at just 28 years old. Born in Houston and raised in Dubai with Syrian-American roots, Rama joined her husband on stage at Brooklyn’s Paramount Theatre after his election win, radiating elegance in a black lace dress, drawing comparisons to the iconic Audrey Hepburn.
The couple’s love story began on the dating app Hinge in 2021, leading to their engagement in October 2024 and an Islamic wedding ceremony, Nikkah, in Dubai in December 2024, followed by a civil ceremony at Lower Manhattan’s City Hall in February.
Mamdani, the son of renowned filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani, shared his life with Rama, who grew up in Dubai and moved to New York in 2021 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts. Her Instagram profile showcases her Arab heritage and features her distinctive black and white illustrations.
Anticipated to relocate to Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City’s mayor, Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, has pledged policies such as free public transportation, rent freezes, reduced law enforcement presence, and increased taxes on the affluent and large corporations. Addressing his supporters in Brooklyn, Mamdani affirmed his identity as a Muslim and democratic socialist, declaring his unwavering stance without apology.
In a direct message to former President Trump, Mamdani urged him to “turn the volume up,” asserting that New York City, the birthplace of Trump, could lead by example in opposing his influence. Mamdani’s impassioned speech resonated with the crowd, eliciting enthusiastic cheers in celebration of his historic victory.
