Meet Rama Duwaji: Could She Become New York’s Next First Lady?

Rama Duwaji, a Syrian-born illustrator and animator, is poised to potentially become the next first lady of New York City as her husband, Zohran Mamdani, advances in the mayoral race. Mamdani, a young progressive Democrat and outsider, recently declared victory in the Democratic primary, positioning himself as the city’s future mayor. The couple’s modern love story began on the dating app Hinge, after which they married earlier this year in New York.

Duwaji holds degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and New York’s School of Visual Arts, specializing in communication design and illustration. Her work explores themes of sisterhood and community, and she has collaborated with notable clients such as The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple, Spotify, Vice, and the Tate Modern. Beyond illustration, she is also passionate about pottery and ceramics.

Despite her rising profile, Duwaji has largely stayed out of the spotlight, focusing instead on her art and personal life. With her husband’s political success and her own artistic achievements, she could soon find herself stepping into a new, prominent role in New York’s history.