Zohran Mamdani’s place in the Knicks’ title parade did not come out of nowhere. The New York City mayor had already made himself part of the team’s postseason story before Thursday’s celebration.
He was spotted at playoff games and later joined the Knicks’ float after the franchise ended its 53-year wait for an NBA title. His standout moment came when he danced “Lean Back” with Karl-Anthony Towns.
Mamdani was not alone during the celebrations, either. His wife, Rama Duwaji, appeared alongside him, sparking fresh curiosity from sports fans watching the mayor’s public moment.
Who is Rama Duwaji, Zohran Mamdani’s wife?
Duwaji is a New York-based artist and illustrator with Syrian roots. She was born in Texas, spent part of her childhood in Dubai and later studied at Virginia Commonwealth University before earning a master’s degree in illustration from the School of Visual Arts.
Her work often explores displacement, womanhood, Middle Eastern identity and political struggle. It has appeared across major outlets and institutions, including BBC News, The New York Times and The Washington Post.
She is also closely tied to Mamdani’s personal story. The couple met on Hinge and married quietly at the New York City Clerk’s office before his mayoral profile grew.
Rama Duwaji’s appearance shows shift after campaign criticism
Duwaji’s presence at the Knicks celebration was notable because she was rarely seen at the start of Mamdani’s campaign.
That absence led opponents to claim he was ‘hiding’ his wife, a criticism Mamdani rejected when he said she deserved to be known on her own terms.
Since then, her public visibility has changed. She was also reported to have attended Brazil against Morocco at the World Cup alongside Mamdani, before appearing with him during the Knicks’ title celebrations.
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