Rama Duwaji: Who is the wife of NYC's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani?

November 5, 2025

Rama Duwaji, a 28-year-old New York-based artist with Syrian heritage, is set to become New York City's youngest first lady following her husband Zohran Mamdani's mayoral victory. Despite facing criticism for remaining largely absent from the campaign trail, Duwaji worked behind the scenes, contributing to her husband's campaign branding and visual identity. Her artistic work, which has been featured in major publications and museums, frequently addresses Middle Eastern themes and takes strong political stances on issues like Palestinian rights and American foreign policy.

Who is affected

Rama Duwaji (incoming first lady)
Zohran Mamdani (mayor-elect and Duwaji's husband)
Duwaji's friends and family in Dubai and New York
New York City residents (who will have her as first lady)
Mahmoud Khalil (Columbia graduate whose deportation case Duwaji supports through her art)
Artists and communities engaged with Middle Eastern political issues

What action is being taken

Mamdani is publicly defending his wife against criticism about her campaign absence
Duwaji is using her art to speak out about issues in the US, Palestine, and Syria
The Trump administration is seeking to deport Mahmoud Khalil (referenced in context of Duwaji's support)
Immigration raids are occurring in NYC (mentioned as ongoing concern)

Why it matters

This matters because Duwaji will be breaking records as NYC's youngest first lady, bringing a new generation's perspective to the role. Her decision to maintain artistic independence and limit public appearances challenges traditional expectations of political spouses in American politics. Her outspoken political artwork addressing controversial Middle Eastern conflicts and US foreign policy will likely generate ongoing discussion about the role and political voice of a first lady. The couple's story also represents changing dynamics in political partnerships, where spouses maintain separate professional identities rather than serving solely as campaign accessories.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC