Zohran Mamdani’s aloof artist wife Rama Duwaji has quietly helped boost the Democratic socialist’s viral social media presence and even designed his logos — despite largely being a ghost on the campaign trail.
The Dallas-raised, Dubai educated Syrian-American — who only moved to New York City four years ago — could soon become the youngest ever first lady for the Big Apple.
The 28-year-old opted to stay out of the spotlight — even as her husband’s profile ballooned — but is said to have been a driving force behind the scenes, CNN reported.
She was among those who finalized Mamdani’s brand identity when he first kicked off his campaign, including the bold iconography and font used on his yellow, orange and blue campaign materials, the outlet reported Sunday.
Duwaji has also been credited with boosting her husband’s digital and large social media presence and has been a major source of support for him in private, the article noted, citing sources.
But despite her apparent efforts, Duwaji has largely steered clear of the cameras — opting to skip debates and major appearances ahead of Election Day and barely acknowledging the highly-watched race on social media.
She made one post on Instagram back in June just after her hubby cinched the Democratic nomination in an upset primary win, writing: “Couldn’t possibly be prouder.”
Her accounts are primarily dedicated to posts about her art, including pro-Palestinian works.
Duwaji, who works as a ceramist and illustrator, has repeatedly declined interviews and hasn’t ever addressed why she has opted to stay out of the limelight.
Prior to the campaign heating up, the couple discussed how Mamdani’s push to become mayor could thrust her into the spotlight and limit their privacy, a source told CNN.
Mamdani, for his part, loosely addressed his wife’s desire to remain out of sight several months ago when he ripped critics for trying to glean more information about her.
“Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk’s office. Now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race — which should be about you — about her,” the Queens state assemblyman wrote in an Instagram post in May.
“Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms. You can critique my views, but not my family.”
Despite shooting down the chance to speak out publicly, several of Duwaji’s friends have gushed about her in a spate of interviews as speculation swirled about what kind of role she would take on if her husband won.
“She’s our modern day Princess Diana,” one friend, Hasnain Bhatti, declared to the New York Times last month.
Others described Duwaji as being excited but overwhelmed by the growing attention.
Duwaji, who now boasts more than 160,000 followers on Instagram, met Mamdani on Hinge in 2021.
The couple, who live in a rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria, Queens, tied the knot in a civil ceremony in February and held an extravagant wedding celebration in Uganda in July.
