
New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, made headlines not only for his political victory but also for his love story. The 2025 NYC mayor married Rama Duwaji, a talented artist and illustrator, just months before his historic win. What makes their story even more interesting is how they met on a popular dating app!
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist of Indian-Ugandan descent, is known for his dedication to community issues and progressive politics. However, behind his political success stands a woman who inspires and supports him his wife, Rama.
Let’s take a closer look at who Rama Duwaji is and how their love story unfolded.

Rama Duwaji, the wife of Zohran Mamdani, is originally from Damascus, Syria, but she was born in Texas, USA, according to The New York Times. Her multicultural background has played an important role in shaping her worldview and artistic expression.
Rama graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in communication design. Before moving to New York, she lived with her family in Dubai during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, she made her dream move to Brooklyn, New York, where she began building her art career.

Rama Duwaji is not just known for being Zohran Mamdani’s wife she has carved out her own identity as a talented illustrator and animator. Her Instagram bio proudly mentions her passion for storytelling through visual art.
In interviews, Rama has described her creative mission:
“I focus on making art about my experiences and the things I care about. I want to create conversations through my work.”
Her artwork often reflects social and cultural themes, with an emphasis on community, identity, and belonging.
Over the years, she has worked with some of the world’s leading media outlets, including:
In May 2025, one of her illustrations was featured in The New Yorker, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Outside of digital art, Rama also enjoys creating hand-built ceramics, showcasing her versatility as an artist.

Their love story is as modern as it gets. During an interview on The Bulwark podcast in June 2025, Zohran Mamdani revealed that he met Rama Duwaji on the dating app Hinge.
He even joked during the interview, saying there’s still “hope in those dating apps.” The couple started dating sometime before April 2022, as Mamdani had posted a photo taken by Rama that year.
Their relationship grew stronger over time, and by October 2024, the couple seemed to be engaged. Mamdani shared a photo of Rama on Instagram, using a ring emoji and the hashtag “#hardlaunch.”
In early 2025, Zohran and Rama tied the knot in a simple yet beautiful civil ceremony at the New York City Clerk’s office. Mamdani shared their wedding news on Instagram with heartfelt words:
“Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama. She’s not just my wife she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.”
Before their New York wedding, the couple celebrated their engagement in Dubai, surrounded by close friends and family.
Later that year, their wedding photos were shared online by photographer Kara McCurdy, who revealed that Mamdani had known early on that he wanted to marry Rama.

As Mamdani’s political career soared, Rama continued to stand proudly by his side. During the New York City mayoral election in November 2025, she joined him on stage after his victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo.
In his emotional acceptance speech, Mamdani said:
“And to my incredible wife, Rama, hayati (my life), there is no one I would rather have by my side.”
The couple’s affectionate gestures including Mamdani kissing Rama’s hand and cheek captured the hearts of many.
On Instagram, Rama posted a sweet message with a photo strip of the two, writing:
“Couldn’t possibly be prouder.”
Their story stands as a beautiful example of love, respect, and partnership.
What makes their relationship inspiring is not just the romance it’s the mutual respect and individuality they share. Despite being in the public eye, both Zohran and Rama maintain their independence and personal passions.
Rama supports her husband’s vision for a better New York while also continuing her own artistic journey. Meanwhile, Zohran never misses a chance to acknowledge Rama’s role in his life and success.
Their love story from a Hinge match to City Hall wedding to mayoral victory night feels like a true modern-day fairy tale.
Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, is much more than the partner of a rising political figure. She is a gifted artist, a creative thinker, and an inspiring individual in her own right. Their relationship shows how love can thrive even in the fast-paced world of politics when it’s built on respect, admiration, and shared dreams.
As New York celebrates its new mayor, it’s clear that Mamdani and Duwaji are a power couple to watch both in art and leadership.