Who Is the Woman Behind Zohran Mamdani's Rise?

As New York City's political world reels from the unexpected primary victory of Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, attention is turning not only to the 33-year-old democratic socialist but also to his wife — the low-profile yet increasingly influential artist Rama Duwaji.

- KO Web Desk

Duwaji, 27, is a Syrian American animator and illustrator whose evocative, politically charged work has graced the pages and platforms of major global outlets including The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple, Spotify, and the Tate Modern. On Election Night, she stood quietly beside Mamdani as he delivered his victory speech, her presence a rare but poignant moment in a campaign where she has largely remained out of the spotlight.

She later posted just four words on Instagram: “couldn't possibly be prouder,” alongside a black-and-white photo booth strip with Mamdani and a voting selfie. For her nearly 92,000 followers, the post was quintessential Duwaji — intimate, artistic, and deeply personal.

A Creative Voice with Political Roots