Meet Rama Duwaji: NYC's Youngest First Lady and Artistic Powerhouse

Rama Duwaji, at just 28 years old, has become the youngest first lady in New York City's history after her husband, Zohran Mamdani, won the mayoral race. During his victory speech, Zohran expressed his deep appreciation for Rama, calling her 'hayati,' which means 'my life' in Arabic. Rama is a talented artist with Syrian heritage, and her work often explores themes from the Middle East. Her art has been featured in major outlets like BBC News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vice, and even the Tate Modern museum in London. Zohran has publicly praised Rama, saying she is not only his wife but also an incredible artist who deserves recognition for her own achievements. The couple met on the dating app Hinge, which Zohran mentioned in an interview, joking that there is still hope for people using dating apps.

Rama was not often seen during the early stages of Zohran's campaign, which led some critics to claim that Zohran was hiding his wife. This was unusual because political candidates in the US often showcase their spouses to highlight family values. Zohran addressed these criticisms in a social media post, explaining that politics can be harsh and that he usually ignores negative comments, but it is more difficult when they involve his loved ones. Rama chose to stay out of the public eye, but she played a significant role behind the scenes, helping to shape Zohran's campaign identity, including the design and colors of his campaign materials. Rama was born in Houston, Texas, and moved to Dubai at the age of nine. She also attended school in Qatar for a short time. Her parents are Syrian Muslims originally from Damascus.

Despite avoiding the spotlight, Rama's friends have spoken highly of her, with one friend even comparing her to Princess Diana. Others have described her as excited but also overwhelmed by the attention she is receiving. Rama graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and later earned a master's degree in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her artwork is mostly in black and white and often depicts scenes from the Arab world. Rama has used her art to comment on important issues, such as American policies and events in Palestine and Syria. She believes that artists have a responsibility to reflect the times and speak out against injustice. Rama says that even creating art as a way to escape from difficult situations is a political act. As Zohran and Rama step into their new roles, many are curious to see how they will influence New York City and what changes they might bring.