Rama Duwaji, the Syrian-American artist and wife of newly elected New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has emerged as a figure of quiet yet profound influence. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Dubai, Duwaji’s journey from a budding artist to the city’s Gen-Z first lady is a testament to her resilience and creativity. Her parents, both Syrian Muslims from Damascus, supported her artistic aspirations while encouraging practicality in her career choices. After completing her high school education in Dubai, Duwaji pursued her passion for art, earning a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her artistic journey took her to residencies in Beirut and Paris before she moved to New York in 2021. It was there that she met Mamdani on the dating app Hinge, sparking a relationship that culminated in a romantic rooftop Nikkah ceremony in Dubai Creek Harbour and a courthouse wedding in New York. Despite her husband’s political rise, Duwaji has maintained a low profile, channeling her voice through her art, which often addresses humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, and Lebanon. As Mamdani’s historic mayoral win thrusts her into the spotlight, the question remains whether she can preserve her quiet, artistic life while embracing her new role as New York’s first lady.
Did you know? Zohran Mamdani’s wife went to school in Dubai, met him on Hinge
