Following Zohran Mamdani's historic mayoral victory, all eyes are on his wife a critically acclaimed Syrian-American artist and a quiet "driving force" behind the campaign.
NEW YORK, November 6, 2025 — As New York City celebrates the election of its new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, it is also preparing to welcome a First Lady unlike any in its history. At just 28 years old, Rama Duwaji, a talented and prolific artist, is set to become the youngest First Lady in the city's history.
When Mayor-elect Mamdani took the stage on Tuesday night (Nov. 5) to claim victory, he paid special, emotional tribute to his wife, who stood beside him. In a voice thick with emotion, he referred to Duwaji simply as "my life," acknowledging her central role in his journey to Gracie Mansion.
While Duwaji often remained behind the scenes during the grueling campaign, her influence was profound. CNN reported that sources inside the campaign described her as a "driving force" and a crucial motivator for her husband.
She is now poised to transform a traditionally ceremonial role with her unique background as a New York-based artist of Syrian heritage, whose work often explores complex themes of identity and the Middle East.
Her professional credentials are staggering. Duwaji's art has been featured by BBC News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Vice, and has been exhibited in the prestigious Tate Modern museum in London.
Born in Houston, Texas, Duwaji's life has been defined by a blend of American and Middle Eastern cultures. According to Arab media, her parents are Syrian Muslims from Damascus. She moved to Dubai at the age of nine and later studied briefly in Qatar before returning to the United States for her higher education.
She earned her undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University before completing a Master of Arts in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City.
Friends have effusively praised Duwaji's character and grace, with some reportedly calling her "our modern-day Princess Diana," alluding to a combination of elegance, empathy, and a strong independent identity.
In 2022, her work was prominently featured in the BBC World Service documentary "Who Killed My Grandfather," an investigation into the 1974 assassination of a Yemeni politician.
As Rama Duwaji prepares to step into a public role she never sought, New York City is not just getting a new mayor, but a First Lady whose voice expressed through her art is already known and respected on the global stage.