Meet Rama Duwaji, Syrian-born artist and wife of NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. From a Hinge match to City Hall, their story blends art, activism, and politics—capturing public attention in 2025’s most inspiring partnership. Discover how this duo is changing narratives in modern love and leadership.
From Hinge to City Hall? Zohran Mamdani and Artist Wife Rama Duwaji Redefine Modern Power Couples

Their love story reflects a generation that values both purpose and personal growth—and it’s resonating with voters, creatives, and activists alike.
💑 A Modern Love Story Begins on Hinge
In a tale fit for the digital age, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani met his future wife, Rama Duwaji, on the dating app Hinge. Their connection quickly evolved into a deeply supportive partnership that combines creativity, activism, and shared values. While Mamdani’s rising political career draws headlines, Duwaji’s growing reputation as an artist and illustrator is commanding its own spotlight.
🎨 Who Is Rama Duwaji?
Rama Duwaji is a Brooklyn-based Syrian-born illustrator, animator, and ceramicist whose work is rooted in themes of identity, sisterhood, healing, and representation. With a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MFA in Illustration from New York’s School of Visual Arts, Duwaji’s art blends narrative and activism with vibrant, inclusive imagery.
Her mission is to center women of color in communal, affirming spaces, often challenging Western beauty standards and societal norms. Her illustrations have been featured by high-profile outlets including:
- The New Yorker
- The Washington Post
- VICE
- BBC
- Spotify
- Apple
- Tate Modern
In addition to her digital work, she is also passionate about ceramics and hosts workshops on illustration and animation for emerging artists.
“My work is about reclaiming softness and strength at the same time,” Duwaji shared in a recent interview. “It’s about showing up in spaces where people like me are often invisible.”
💍 Engagement and Wedding: Love Across Continents
After dating for over a year, the couple got engaged in Dubai in October 2024, where Duwaji’s family resides. Their relationship remained relatively private until the engagement, which was followed by a civil wedding ceremony in early 2025 at New York City’s City Clerk’s Office.
Their union reflects not only cross-cultural love but also a blending of two distinct public profiles—one rooted in politics and the other in art. The wedding, although modest in scale, marked the beginning of what many have called New York’s newest progressive power couple.
🗳️ Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a Democratic Socialist and New York State Assembly member, representing Astoria, Queens. The son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran has become a prominent voice for housing justice, police reform, and immigrant rights. In June 2025, he secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, placing him at the forefront of progressive leadership in the city.
His mayoral run is powered by grassroots support and a vision to reshape New York City through equity-focused policies, drawing comparisons to leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
🧨 Public Scrutiny and Political Support
Despite their personal bond, the couple has not been immune to criticism. As Mamdani’s profile has risen, Duwaji’s outspoken views—particularly her pro-Palestine advocacy—have been scrutinized by conservative media outlets and critics.
Mamdani addressed the controversy directly, defending his wife’s integrity and creativity:
“My wife is an incredible artist whose voice is as important as mine. Personal attacks won’t distract from the work we’re doing to build a more just New York.”
Their unwavering support for each other in the face of public pressure has only strengthened their bond—and increased admiration from their base.
💡 A Power Couple for a New Generation
Together, Mamdani and Duwaji represent a new kind of political couple—multicultural, values-driven, and unafraid of breaking norms. Their story speaks to a generation navigating identity, public life, and personal truth in a digitally connected, socially conscious world.
While Mamdani continues to campaign on housing rights and social justice, Duwaji contributes to the cultural landscape through powerful visual storytelling. Their shared commitment to activism, inclusion, and representation is shaping not just policy but public imagination.
🏛️ From Hinge to City Hall?
Whether or not Mamdani is elected mayor, one thing is clear: this couple is already making a difference. Their journey from a dating app to public office is more than a romantic narrative—it’s a testament to the power of aligned purpose.
In a city defined by reinvention, Zohran Mamdani and Rama Duwaji are leading a new kind of revolution—one where politics meets art, love fuels activism, and relationships shape the future of leadership.
SEO Keywords:
Zohran Mamdani wife, Rama Duwaji, Zohran Mamdani 2025 NYC mayoral candidate, progressive power couple NYC, Hinge love story politics, Syrian American artist, NYC political couples, Rama Duwaji illustrator, Zohran Mamdani relationship, Zohran Mamdani wedding Dubai
Would you like this adapted for your news site or need a social media version for engagement?