Rama Duwaji, the soft-spoken artist married to Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, has largely stayed out of the public eye — but behind the scenes, her influence on her husband’s political ascent has been unmistakable.
The 28-year-old Syrian-American ceramist and illustrator, who grew up in Dallas and studied in Dubai before moving to New York just four years ago, is said to have been instrumental in crafting Mamdani’s distinctive campaign identity. According to CNN, Duwaji helped finalize the bold yellow, orange, and blue branding that has become synonymous with Mamdani’s movement — including his campaign logo and social media aesthetic.
While she has avoided the spotlight, friends and campaign insiders describe Duwaji as a key creative force and emotional anchor for the Queens assemblyman, who is now one of the city’s most closely watched mayoral contenders. “She’s been there every step of the way, even if you don’t see her on stage,” one source told the outlet.
Still, Duwaji has made few public appearances, skipping debates and major campaign events and rarely posting about her husband online. Her social media pages remain devoted mainly to her art, which often includes pro-Palestinian themes. Her only political nod came in June after Mamdani’s upset Democratic primary win, when she shared a simple message on Instagram: “Couldn’t possibly be prouder.”
The couple reportedly discussed the personal trade-offs of Mamdani’s political ambitions long before his campaign gained traction. “They knew running for mayor would mean losing some privacy,” a source said.
Mamdani himself defended his wife’s privacy earlier this year, condemning critics who sought to draw her into political attacks. “Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms,” he wrote in May. “You can critique my views, but not my family.”
Despite her reticence, those close to Duwaji say her quiet charisma could make her a compelling figure in her own right. “She’s our modern-day Princess Diana,” friend Hasnain Bhatti told The New York Times. “Graceful, creative, and totally uninterested in fame.”
