From his victory speech to the public swearing-in, Rama Duwaji was a constant presence by Zohran Mamdani’s side. When the newly elected mayor paused to thank her publicly, the understated moment quickly went viral, sparking conversations across social media and continents about partnership, loyalty, and the power of quietly showing up.
At just 28, Duwaji is making history on more than one front, becoming New York City’s first Gen Z first lady and its first Muslim first lady. Throughout Mamdani’s campaign, she steadily emerged as one of its most talked-about figures, not through speeches or slogans, but through presence. From her distinctive fashion choices to the way she showed up every time in quiet support, Duwaji became part of the campaign’s visual and emotional rhythm.
At the ceremony, Mamdani’s wife and the city’s new first lady, artist Rama Duwaji, reflected that sensibility in a high-collared brown coat trimmed with fur at the cuffs and hem, paired with tall lace-up boots set on sturdy block heels.
READ: Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City mayor at midnight (
Later on Thursday, Mamdani and Duwaji arrived hand in hand, just as they had on Election Day, for the traditional Jan. 1 inauguration ceremony outside City Hall. Duwaji, smiling, wore a brown coat with a distinctive three-tiered detail, a look that once again drew quiet attention without demanding it.
It was during Mamdani’s remarks that the moment truly landed. “And thank you to my wife Rama for being my best friend and always showing me the beauty in everyday things,” he said from the stage. The line struck a chord almost instantly, ricocheting across social media as clips and reels, with users sharing it as a rare, unguarded glimpse of affection in the middle of a political milestone.
Since then, social media has been flooded with heartfelt reactions to the moment. Noted New York City writer and content creator Alicia Mitas, commenting on a reel shared by NY1, captured the mood succinctly: “holding the face card while holding back tears,” a nod to Duwaji’s expression as Mamdani acknowledged her from the stage.
Others echoed the sentiment. “God it’s been so long since I’ve seen a politician thank their spouse. It’s honestly refreshing,” one user wrote. Another added, “love this couple best start to 2026.” As the comments poured in, Mamdani and Duwaji didn’t just mark a political milestone, they also unmistakably won over social media as a couple.
READ: ‘The work has just begun’: Zohran Mamdani takes office as NYC mayor, signals affordability (
At the same time, Mamdani’s mother, acclaimed Indian American filmmaker Mira Nair, stole the spotlight in her own way during the ceremony, capturing the hearts of social media users. Fans couldn’t help but notice her delight as she recorded her son on her mobile, prompting one user to write, “immigrant moms are gonna be immigrant moms, doesn’t matter if you are the mayor!”
The comments rolled in with equal enthusiasm. “Straight to the family WhatsApp group!” wrote one, while another added, “horizontal framing and all. You go Mira Aunty.” A third captured the sentiment perfectly: “I love how his mum is taking a picture like: ‘I need to get this on my phone or else nobody is gonna know or believe me.’”
In a moment full of political significance, Nair’s genuine, playful pride offered a warm, relatable counterpoint, reminding viewers that behind every historic milestone is a family’s quiet celebration, captured in real time for the world to see.