The illustrator Rama Duwaji, who is married to New York City Zohran Mamdani, has an artful approach to the role of political spouse. It represents a bipartisan shift in America.
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New York City first lady Rama Duwaji chose to introduce herself to Americans in The Cut, opting for the fashion outlet over Condé Nast counterpart Vogue or The New York Times.
The artist, married to New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, wore a structured black jacket from French label Jacquemus for the publication’s special cover in which her own illustrations have appeared.
The 28-year-old has expressed a willingness to be seen first as herself, outside of the trappings of traditional political wedlock, amid a bipartisan shift for spouses in American political marriages.
First lady Melania Trump and second lady Usha Vance are among other political partners to adopt Duwaji’s artful approach, passing on most public appearances and limiting media interviews. Duwaji participated only in The Cut piece.
“I never necessarily dreamed or had a very idealistic scenario of what marriage would be. Even the word wife feels very intense,” she told the magazine. “I just feel like a forever girlfriend.”
One week after the article’s release, Duwaji has become the most known “forever girlfriend” in America.
She held two Qurans as Mamdani took his oath of office after midnight on New Year’s Day, donning a minimalist black coat, a knee-length black dress or skirt and black ankle boots, with a pair of gold, sculptural statement earrings.
‘I did romanticize America in my head’: A childhood crossing oceans
Born in Houston, Duwaji’s family later moved to New York and then suburban New Jersey, where the family led a cul-de-sac life. “I grew up hearing all about what my parents experienced,” she told The Cut of her family’s experience during 9/11. “My mom is a hijabi. My dad had to shave his beard.”
Her family moved to Dubai in 2007, but her memories of New York never fleeted. “I did romanticize America in my head because I had loved it when I was younger,” Duwaji said. “I never fully felt like Dubai was home.”
After transferring from Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus in Qatar, she transferred to its main campus.
Duwaji had attracted clients and commissions by her senior year of high school, then capturing the attention of Vice Arabia, Spotify Arabia and the BBC. She graduated from VCU in 2019 and spent time in Dubai and at an artist residency in Paris. Eventually, she moved back to New York in March 2021.
Duwaji met the then-state assemblyman the same year on the dating app Hinge.
“I was sort of having a hot-girl summer,” Duwaji told The Cut, referring to the phrase popularized by rapper Megan Thee Stallion. “I didn’t necessarily expect it to happen so soon, but it was a very lovely surprise that it worked.”
Zohran Mamdani says Duwaji ‘isn’t just my wife’
Mamdani launched his campaign to lead the nation’s largest city in October 2024, rising from longshot contender to Democratic nominee. “We talked through how we’d work through it as a team,” Duwaji said. “It felt like he really valued my opinion and support.”
After online speculation circulated that Mamdani was shielding his wife or hiding her, the candidate responded with a social media post May 12, sharing the pair’s wedding photos. “Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms,” Mamdani said. “You can critique my views, but not my family.”
Mamdani and Duwaji headed to their Queens polling place on Election Day, holding hands as news crews captured them hand-in-hand. In love.
Duwaji stood by his side that night as the 34-year-old democratic socialist delivered his victory speech to a raucous crowd of Brooklyn supporters. Two days later, she posted a black-and-white illustration of a skyline to Instagram on Nov. 6 with the words “I LOVE U NYC.” “So proud to be a part of this city,” Duwaji captioned the post.
Mamdani has since captured the attention of the nation, garnering pause from his own party and praise from President Donald Trump. Duwaji has, too. Then The Cut article and the midnight swearing in. Mamdani will take part in a traditional inauguration ceremony Jan. 1 outside City Hall with progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders following an introduction by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
On New Year’s Day, Duwaji will stand by his side like always.
As her own person. Not just “Zohran Mamdani’s wife.”
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman
