Who Is the Syrian Artist Married to NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani — and Could This Couple Succeed in American Politics?
Rama Duwaji: The Syrian Artist at the Heart of New York City’s Political Scene Alongside Her Husband Zohran Mamdani
Rama Duwaji, an American artist of Syrian descent, has recently attracted attention as the wife of prominent New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Born in Houston, Texas, to Syrian parents, Duwaji grew up between the United States and the Arabian Gulf, which provided her with a diverse cultural background that has significantly influenced her artistic career. She is a granddaughter of the well-known Syrian Duwaji family and studied communication design at Virginia Commonwealth University, followed by a master’s degree in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York.
Duwaji’s work spans drawing, animation, and ceramics, and she has collaborated with major institutions such as The New Yorker and the BBC. Her projects often focus on themes related to identity, women’s issues, and social justice, particularly concerning the Middle East. Her recent artworks addressing the Palestinian cause have received widespread recognition, while also facing criticism and controversy.
Her relationship with Zohran Mamdani began on the dating app Hinge and quickly progressed to an engagement announced in Dubai in 2024, where her family resides. The couple married in February 2025 in New York. Zohran — the son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and renowned academic Mahmoud Mamdani — is a left-leaning politician advocating for significant economic and social reforms. He described his marriage to Rama as both a spiritual and intellectual partnership, stating, “Rama is not only my wife but an artist who deserves to be recognized on her own terms.”
Facing new challenges as a couple in American political life.
