Politics
How Mamdani’s wife Rama Duwaji shaped his campaign
As Zohran Mamdani makes history as New York City’s first Muslim and Indian-American mayor, attention has turned to the woman who quietly shaped his campaign from behind the scenes, his wife, Rama Duwaji.
The 28-year-old Syrian-American artist, raised in Dallas and educated in Dubai, has become the city’s youngest-ever First Lady. Though she largely stayed out of the public eye during the campaign, Duwaji was instrumental in building Mamdani’s visual and digital identity, from designing his campaign logo and colours to amplifying his viral social media presence, New York Post reported citing CNN.
Those close to the couple describe Duwaji as reserved but deeply influential. While she avoided debates, major appearances and interviews, her creative direction and private support are said to have been central to Mamdani’s campaign strategy.
Her Instagram, which has now grown to over 160,000 followers, remains dedicated mostly to her art — including pro-Palestinian work — with only a single post celebrating her husband’s primary victory, captioned: “Couldn’t possibly be prouder.”
Before the campaign intensified, the couple reportedly discussed how Mamdani’s political ambitions might compromise their privacy, a balance Duwaji has carefully maintained.
In a May post, Mamdani defended his wife’s wish to remain out of sight, writing: “Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.”
Friends describe her as thoughtful, creative and quietly confident. One friend even called her “our modern-day Princess Diana” — a nod to her grace under pressure and the curiosity she inspires.
Others said she was excited but overwhelmed by the growing attention as the campaign gained traction.
Duwaji, who works as a ceramist and illustrator, has repeatedly declined interviews and has never addressed why she has chosen to stay out of the limelight.
She met Mamdani on the dating app Hinge in 2021. The couple live in a rent-stabilised apartment in Astoria, Queens, and tied the knot in a civil ceremony at the City Clerk’s Office in February before celebrating with an extravagant wedding in Uganda in July.
Behind New York’s new mayor stands an artist who chose to let her work — not her words — help shape a movement.
Who would have thought that a boy from Uganda would become the New York mayor one day? Zohran Mamdani — a 34-year-old democratic socialist — shocked everyone and became the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of the biggest city in the United States.
Mamdani was virtually unknown before his upset victory to secure the Democratic nomination over former governor Andrew Cuomo, whom he trounced again on Tuesday.
Unlike his opponents, Mamdani focused on reducing living costs for ordinary New Yorkers, building support through his informal personal style and social-media-friendly clips of him walking the streets chatting with voters.
The son of a filmmaker mother and a scholar father, he arrived in New York at the age of seven. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and later earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.
The mock-election
He was only twelve when he won his first election. Yes, his first — a mock mayoral election at Bank Street School for Children.
The mock election was meant for eighth-graders. Mamdani, who was in seventh grade at that time, asked the school to participate as a third-party. And when the results were announced, Mamdani wiped out the field.
Footballer and rapper
Mamdani’s childhood was a blend of train rides, football fandom, rapping, and political debates.
Before entering politics, he worked as a housing counsellor, helping low-income homeowners in Queens fight eviction.
The love life
Mamdani and his wife, 27-year-old Syrian-American animator and illustrator Rama Duwaji, met on the dating app Hinge in 2021, whom he credits with helping him “to better use social media”.
The improbable campaign
Inspired by Bernie Sanders to become a socialist, Mamdani began his mayoral campaign with a fresh perspective.
Along with in-person campaigning, he used social media platforms to build support through his informal personal style and friendly clips of him walking the streets chatting with voters.
The vote
On Election Day, Mamdani stood outside a polling station in Queens — the same borough whose tenants he once defended — and cast the vote that could make him the first Muslim mayor of New York City.
And finally, Mamdani, capping a meteoric rise from a little-known state lawmaker to one of the country’s most visible Democratic figures, won the New York City mayoral race.
The world beyond New York joined New Yorkers in celebration on Wednesday, as Zohran Mamdani’s historic mayoral campaign culminated in a resounding victory.
The 34-year-old democratic socialist made history by becoming the first Muslim mayor of the largest US city, defeating Democratic former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Throughout his campaign, Mamdani faced harsh criticism from conservative media commentators and also from US President Donald Trump over his policies and Muslim heritage.
However, the fierce attacks on the young lawmaker appeared to have little impact on New Yorkers’ spirits, who erupted in celebration after he was declared mayor.
Prominent politicians from beyond the city, including former US President Bill Clinton, were among those who joined New Yorkers in their celebrations.
Taking to X, Clinton congratulated Mamdani on his victory, while wishing for his success in “building a better, fairer, more affordable New York”.
“Congratulations [Zohran Mamdani] on your election as the next Mayor of New York City. I’m wishing you success as you work to transform the passion of your campaign into building a better, fairer, more affordable New York,” the former US president wrote.
British politician Jeremy Corbyn, who is Member of Parliament for Islington North, credited Mamdani for igniting “a grassroots campaign.
“This is a seismic victory — not only for the people of New York, but for all those who believe that humanity and hope can prevail,” he wrote in his post on X.
California Governor Gavin Newsom termed the election result a “message to Donald Trump” that there will be “no crowns, no thrones, no kings”.
“Tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared with an unprecedented turnout in a special election with an extraordinary result,” he said.
Mamdani’s election campaign and his triumph in the polls appeared to have also inspired other politicians to follow his footsteps.
Zack Polanski, leader of England’s Green Party, vowed to adopt “the same relentless focus on inequality” as Mamdani had, as per a report by BBC.
The victory also triggered hope for a political shift in Uganda, where Mamdani was born.
Joel Ssenyonyi, the opposition leader in the Ugandan Parliament, said that the Democratic socialist’s victory proved that an “inspiring political shift” was also possible in his home country, The Washington Post reported.
New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has reported a comparatively modest financial profile as he is all set to lead the United States’ largest city, with official disclosures showing limited assets and a simple lifestyle.
The 34-year-old democratic socialist won the New York City mayoral race on Tuesday, capping a meteoric rise from a little-known state lawmaker to one of the country’s most visible Democratic figures.
More than 2 million ballots, including early voting, were cast, according to the board of elections, the most in a mayoral race since 1969. Early vote totals in Virginia and New Jersey also outpaced the previous elections in 2021.
Mamdani will become the first Muslim mayor of the largest US city. He defeated Democratic former Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, who ran as an independent after losing the nomination to Mamdani in the primary election.
According to his 2025 financial filings, Mamdani — a member of the New York State Assembly representing Queens — earns about $142,000 annually from his legislative role, Forbes reported.
The New York mayor-elect listed just around $1,000 in music royalties from his earlier hip-hop career under the name Mr Cardamom.
Mumdani’s most valuable asset is a four-acre plot of land in Jinja, Uganda, valued between $150,000 and $250,000. According to his filings, the land remains vacant and undeveloped.
He reported no property ownership or vehicle in the United States.
Mamdani lives in a rent-stabilised apartment in Astoria, Queens, where he pays about $2,250 a month, commuting to work via public transport. The disclosures present a striking contrast to the personal wealth of those who ran for New York City mayor, several of whom report significant business and real-estate assets.
Born in Uganda to renowned filmmaker Mira Nair and scholar Mahmood Mamdani, Mamdani moved to the US as a child and was awarded citizenship in 2018.
Unsurprisingly, Mamdani’s campaign was also surrounded by affordability, housing justice, and public transit reform — themes that align closely with his own middle-class financial reality.
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