Rama Duwaji Biography
Rama Duwaji
Born: June 30, 1997
From: Houston, Texas, USA (Syrian-American descent)
Rama Duwaji is a Syrian-American illustrator, animator and ceramic artist based in Brooklyn, New York. Best known as the creative partner of Zohran Mamdani — often cited in context with the phrase “zohran mamdani wife” — she has built a distinguished artistic practice exploring identity, sisterhood, Arab culture and social justice through her work.
Early Life & Education
Born in Houston, Texas to Syrian Muslim parents, Rama spent part of her childhood in the Gulf region before settling in New York. She holds a BFA in Communication Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Art Career & Creative Work
Duwaji’s illustrations, animations and ceramics are featured in publications and spaces such as The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple, Spotify and the Tate Modern. Her work frequently engages with themes of Arab identity, displacement and the experience of women of colour, all while retaining an aesthetic of striking visual minimalism.
Personal Life & Partnership
Meeting her now-husband on the dating app Hinge, Rama married Zohran Mamdani in early 2025 in a civil ceremony in New York and a subsequent private ceremony abroad. Their partnership often brings together art and activism.
Legacy & Outlook
As her husband advances in public life and the keyword “zohran mamdani wife” gains traction, Rama continues to make a name for herself in her own right. With exhibitions, commissions and her unique artistic voice, she stands as a model of how creativity and conviction can intersect.
Photos: Rama Duwaji
