Rama Duwaji becomes youngest first lady in NYC history

At 28, Rama Duwaji is set to become New York City’s youngest first lady after her husband, Zohran Mamdani, won the mayoral election. Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman, thanked Duwaji during his victory speech, calling her “hayati,” an Arabic term meaning “my life,” and praising her presence beside him during the historic moment.

Duwaji is a Brooklyn-based artist of Syrian descent whose work often centers on themes of identity, sisterhood, and Middle Eastern experiences. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s in illustration from New York City’s School of Visual Arts. Though she avoided campaign events, associates say she significantly shaped Mamdani’s visual branding, including the bold fonts and color palette of his materials. Her art, mostly black and white, has appeared in major publications and institutions, and frequently addresses issues like displacement and justice in the Arab world. Friends describe her as both excited and daunted by her new public role.