The streets of New York are still cheering after Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor Nov. 4. Now, folks online are gushing over Mamdani’s cool wife, Rama Duwaji, who looked chic standing beside him in an all-black outfit after his announced victory.
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On TikTok, Gen Z has started to call Duwaji their generation’s Princess Diana —with her short hair, simple yet classy style and humanitarian voice, it’s easy to see why. So here’s what you should know about New York’s youngest-ever First Lady, Rama Duwaji.
She’s a Syrian Artist
Duwaji is a Syrian artist based in Brooklyn, New York. After growing up in Dubai, Duwaji attended the Virginia Commonwealth University in Dubai before transferring to the home campus in Virginia, where she got a BFA in Communication Design, according to the non-profit organization L’AIR ARTS. Duwaji has a successful career as an illustrator and animator.
Her Art Is Political
Duwaji’s art, featured in The New Yorker, Tate Modern, The Washington Post, Vice, and more, according to her website, is a political reflection of what she sees happening around her. For the BBC, Duwaji worked on the animations for the documentary “Who Killed My Grandfather,” detailing the political assassination of Yemen’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Noman, in 1974. Her Instagram also features many illustrations about Palestinian life and the struggles that they face.
She Worked Behind The Scenes on Mamdani’s Campaign
Duwaji is not like most political wives who stand beside their husbands throughout their campaigns, participating in public events to boost their husbands’ profile. In fact, if you take one look at Duwaji’s Instagram, you’ll hardly find any traces of Mamdani, but she was a critical member of his campaign team behind the scenes. By using her artistic talents, Duwaji helped design the visual identity of her husband’s campaign, as well as its digital tone, and even gave Gen-Z advice for social media strategy, according to the Times of India.
Even though she may not have done much public speaking, Duwaji’s strategy and advice were definitely part of Mamdani securing the younger vote as his charismatic online presence struck a chord with New York’s Gen Z population.
She’s a Thoughtful Fashion Icon
Much like her art, Duwaji’s fashion choices are also political. On election night, she chose to get on the stage wearing a top designed by independent Palestinian designer Zeid Hijazi, whose work shines a light on Palestinian folklore, incorporating Middle Eastern craftsmanship, according to The Daily Mail. For her skirt, Duwaji wore a piece made by New York-based independent designer Ulla Johnson, showing her appreciation for designers in the city.
She Met Mamdani on Hinge
New York’s highest-profile couple first met on Hinge in 2021 and had a civil ceremony this year at New York City Hall. Though Duwaji doesn’t post much about her husband on social media, the pride and respect she has for him is evident. But Duwaji is focused on building a career identity that isn’t directly attached to her husband, because as Mamdani wrote in an Instagram post in May, Duwaji is much more than just his wife.
“Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.”
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