Who is Rama Duwaji, Zohran Mamdani's wife and a Syrian American artist?

Rama Duwaji, a Syrian American artist, has emerged into the public spotlight following her husband Zohran Mamdani's high-profile political campaign. Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman, declared victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor on Tuesday night - a stunning rise for a former rapper and first-term lawmaker.

While the final result will be determined by a ranked choice count on July 1, Mamdani's performance has already drawn national attention - not just to him, but also to his wife. Duwaji's quiet but visible support has resonated with many.

On Election Day, she posted a four-word message on Instagram: "couldn't possibly be prouder," alongside a photo-booth strip of the couple and a voting selfie.

Duwaji, originally from Damascus, Syria, is an illustrator and animator based in New York. Her portfolio includes work with major names like The New Yorker, The Washington Post, Apple, Spotify, VICE, the BBC, and London's Tate Modern. Her art, often rooted in portraiture and motion, explores themes of sisterhood and shared experiences. She also creates ceramics, with a fondness for illustrated blue-and-white plates.

The couple met on the dating app Hinge, a detail Mamdani often references with amusement. "I met my wife on Hinge, so there is still hope in those dating apps," he said on a recent podcast. Earlier this year, they got married at the city clerk's office. Mamdani shared photos from the day - including a black-and-white shot of them riding the subway at Union Square, Duwaji in a white dress and boots, bouquet in hand.

Their relationship, however, hasn't been without challenges. Mamdani has addressed the online harassment they've faced, especially during the campaign. "Rama isn't just my wife. She's an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms," he wrote on social media. "You can critique my views, but not my family."

In an April interview, Duwaji reflected on the role of artists in turbulent times, quoting Nina Simone: "An artist's duty as far as I'm concerned is to reflect the times." She added, "Art is inherently political in how it's made, funded, and shared. Even creating art as a refuge... is political to me."

On Election Day, Mamdani's mother, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, shared a heartfelt message for her daughter-in-law: "Darling DIL - Art will flourish in our city in the new day," she wrote, adding a heart emoji.

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