When New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, isn’t campaigning for free buses or affordable housing, he’s at home in Astoria with the love of his life, Rama Duwaji. Their story is a modern romance, blending art, activism, and a meeting straight out of the 21st century. While the young assemblyman is often in the spotlight for his bold progressive policies, his personal life reveals a deep partnership with a talented artist who has her own compelling story. So, let’s pull back the curtain and get to know the woman who captured his heart.
The couple’s journey began, perhaps unsurprisingly for a pair of busy New Yorkers, on the dating app Hinge. They bonded over a shared passion for music and art, and their connection quickly grew from a digital match to a real-life romance. After dating for some time, the couple decided to get engaged. Their engagement was celebrated with a small, joyful ceremony in Dubai in December 2024, surrounded by Rama’s family, who live there.
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Following their engagement, they solidified their union in two meaningful ways. First, they had a private nikah, an Islamic marriage ceremony, in December 2024. Then, in early 2025, they made their marriage official in a civil ceremony at the New York City Clerk’s office. Zohran Mamdani, who typically keeps his private life out of the media, later shared a beautiful photo from their City Hall wedding on social media, writing that he had “married the love of my life.”
A Creative Force in Her Own Right: Who is Rama Duwaji?
Rama Duwaji is far more than just a politician’s wife; she is an accomplished artist with a vibrant career of her own. Born in 1997 to Syrian parents in Houston, Texas, she spent about a decade of her youth living in the Gulf Arab states before returning to the U.S. in 2016. She is a multi-talented creative professional, working as an animator, illustrator, and ceramist.
She holds a Master of Fine Arts in illustration from the School of Visual Arts, and her work often explores themes of Arab culture, identity, and social justice, with a particular emphasis on women’s rights. Her illustrations have graced the pages of major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post.
In her personal life, she has also created art focused on social and political issues she cares about, including works concerning the Gaza war. Together, she and Zohran form a powerful, artistically-inclined couple whose life in Astoria is a world away from the traditional political power corridors.
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Does the Couple Have Children?
When it comes to the question of kids, the answer, as of now, is that Zohran Mamdani and Rama Duwaji do not have any. The couple is focused on their careers and navigating the whirlwind of the 2025 New York City mayoral race. Their family currently consists of the two of them, building a life together in their one-bedroom apartment in Astoria.
As for their future, whether it will include a family with children is a chapter they have yet to write. For now, all attention is on the election and Rama’s flourishing career as she steps into the public eye alongside her husband.
