Rama Duwaji, New York City’s first Gen Z first lady, is making waves in politics and art as she supports her husband, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, while carving her own identity.
New York City has welcomed its first Gen Z first lady, Rama Duwaji, who is already gaining international attention. As the youngest first lady in the city’s history, Duwaji represents a new wave of political engagement and cultural influence among younger generations.
From New York to global platforms, discussions about Duwaji have surged across social media. Her visible support for Mayor Zohran Mamdani during key moments, her unique fashion sense, and her creative career have made her a prominent figure in contemporary American politics.
Duwaji has taken a modern approach to her public persona, opting to introduce herself through an interview with The Cut rather than a traditional magazine. This choice reflects her contemporary sensibilities and sets her apart from the conventional narratives often adopted by political spouses.
On New Year’s Day, Duwaji stood beside Mamdani during his swearing-in ceremony as New York City’s first democratic socialist mayor. Dressed in a striking brown frock coat adorned with chocolate-toned faux fur, her outfit quickly became a topic of conversation online. For many women in political life, such an inauguration outfit serves as an unspoken statement, offering insight into how they plan to navigate the complexities of their new roles.
As the initial excitement fades, it is essential to delve deeper into who Rama Duwaji is beyond her public image, fashion choices, and viral moments.
Duwaji was born in Houston, Texas, before her family moved to New York and eventually settled in suburban New Jersey. Growing up in a quiet cul-de-sac, she was shaped by her family’s stories about identity and belonging in the aftermath of 9/11. In an interview with The Cut, she reflected on the impact of those experiences on her family dynamics, stating, “I grew up hearing all about what my parents experienced. My mom is a hijabi. My dad had to shave his beard.”
In 2007, her family relocated to Dubai, but the essence of New York remained with her. Duwaji began her studies at Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus in Qatar before transferring to the main campus in Richmond, Virginia, to continue her education.
By her senior year, Duwaji was already establishing herself as a creative force, attracting clients and commissions that showcased her growing reputation. Her work gained recognition from platforms such as Vice Arabia, Spotify Arabia, and the BBC. She graduated from VCU in 2019 and spent time between Dubai and an artist residency in Paris before returning to New York in March 2021, a city she has always considered home.
It was in New York that Duwaji met Zohran Mamdani, then a state assemblyman, through the dating app Hinge. Reflecting on their meeting, she described it as a delightful surprise, saying, “I was sort of having a hot-girl summer. I didn’t necessarily expect it to happen so soon, but it was a very lovely surprise that it worked.”
Now residing in Brooklyn, Duwaji is a Syrian illustrator and animator, continuing to develop her creative career while navigating her new public life. Her art often centers on the experiences of women, blending the intimate with the political. She captures everyday moments, such as reading or making music, while also addressing significant issues, including women’s empowerment and the ongoing crisis in Yemen.
Through her illustrations, Duwaji has highlighted individual stories that might otherwise go unnoticed, such as that of Reem Ahmed, an architect from Gaza who endured a harrowing experience trapped beneath rubble after an Israeli airstrike that claimed the lives of her family members.
Earlier in 2025, photographer Kara McCurdy shared glimpses of Duwaji and Mamdani’s wedding day, adding a personal touch to their relationship, which has become part of New York’s public narrative. McCurdy, who has known the couple for years, recounted the day they tied the knot, stating, “I’ve known [Mamdani] was going to marry Rama for years, and I was there, at the city clerk’s office with them when it happened.”
As Rama Duwaji steps into her role as first lady, she embodies a new generation of leaders who are reshaping the political landscape with their unique perspectives and creative expressions. Her journey is just beginning, and the world will be watching closely as she balances her artistic endeavors with her responsibilities in the public eye.
For more insights into Duwaji’s journey and her impact, refer to The Cut.