After Zohran Mamdani successfully completed his historic bid for mayor of the country's largest city on Tuesday night, he was joined onstage by his wife Rama Duwaji.In his speech, Mamdani thanked Duwaji, saying, "There is no one I would rather have by my side in this moment and in every moment."On Jan.1, 2026, Duwaji will become the first lady of New York City, after her husband is sworn in as the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor, as well as the city's first mayor born in Africa.'Led by an immigrant': New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani calls out Trump in victory speechRead on for everything to know about New York City's next first lady.Who is New York City's next first lady, Rama Duwaji?Duwaji is a 28-year-old Syrian artist.
According to her website, her work can be seen mostly in digital spaces and has appeared in publications including The New Yorker and The Washington Post.In an April interview with YUNG, Duwaji described her art as being borne from passion."These days, I focus on making art about my experiences and the things I care about, and the community that forms from conversations about my work -- both online and in person -- happens organically," she told the outlet."I make my work for people who care about the things I care about."New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani celebrates alongside his wife Rama Duwaji during an election night event in Brooklyn, New York City on November 4, 2025.Shannon Stapleton/ReutersDuwaji is ethnically Syrian and was born in Texas, moving to Dubai around the age of 9, according to The New York Times.Duwaji is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
She has spent time in artist residencies in Lebanon and France, moving to New York City in 2021.She earned her Master of Fine Arts from New York's School of Visual Arts in 2024.Popular Reads'Mass chaos': Duffy says he might have to close some airspace next week amid shutdownNov 4, 12:44 PMMamdani celebrates victory in 'rebor...