Zohran Mamdani is an American politician and the mayor-elect of New York City. He is known for his progressive politics and his work fighting for affordable housing and better public services. Born in Uganda to scholar Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, he later grew up in New York. He became famous after winning a major upset in the 2025 Democratic primary against Andrew Cuomo, and then winning the general election to become NYC’s first Muslim and first Indian-Ugandan mayor.
Early Life and Family Background
Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, five years after his father returned from political exile. His family history is tightly woven with global displacement, intellectual activism, and artistic brilliance.
After his early years in Uganda, Zohran’s family relocated to South Africa when he was five. Two years later, they moved again—this time to New York City. The multicultural, multi-continental upbringing helped Zohran develop an early fluency in navigating cultural and political worlds.
He attended Bronx High School of Science and later graduated with a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College in Maine.
Father: Mahmood Mamdani
Mahmood Mamdani is one of Africa’s most influential political thinkers.
- In 1972, he was expelled from Uganda by dictator Idi Amin due to his Indian ethnicity.
- In 1984, the government of Milton Obote stripped him of citizenship after he criticized its policies.
- Stateless but determined, Mahmood returned to Uganda in 1986, committed to rebuilding and teaching.
- Today, he is a distinguished professor at Columbia University.
Mahmood’s lifelong engagement with justice, power, and identity deeply shaped Zohran’s worldview.
Mother: Mira Nair
Zohran’s mother is Mira Nair, the internationally acclaimed filmmaker behind Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala, and numerous award-winning projects. Known for her vibrant storytelling and activism, Nair is also a Harvard graduate and global cultural figure.
Both parents—each accomplished in their own sphere—created a home filled with political debate, art, and social consciousness.
Early Career and Activism
Before entering politics, Zohran worked as a housing counselor, helping New Yorkers fight evictions—a period he described as profoundly transformative.
He also explored his artistic side, producing hip-hop music under the name Mr. Cardamom, a nod to the creative influence of his mother.
With a father who fought political injustice, a mother who reshaped world cinema, and a wife whose artwork reflects identity and resistance, Zohran Mamdani’s life is rooted in storytelling, advocacy, and cross-cultural experience.
His biography reflects not just his own path, but the legacy of a family that has long worked at the intersection of politics, history, and art.
Relationship and Marriage: Who is Rama Dwaji?
While Zohran kept his personal life mostly out of the spotlight during his political rise, public curiosity grew when he won the New York City Democratic mayoral primary.
Zohran met his wife, Rama Dwaj, on the dating app Hinge—proof, as he joked, that there’s still hope for dating apps everywhere.
Rama is a Syrian artist specializing in illustration and animation.
Her work has been featured in:
- The Washington Post
- The New Yorker
- Events and cultural projects across New York City
Quiet, creative, and committed to her craft, she has built a reputation for communicating more through her art than through public statements.
The couple celebrated with Rama’s family in Dubai, followed by a civil ceremony in New York City at the clerk’s office. Contrary to online rumors, their Dubai celebration was modest—ceremonies typically cost about $72 per guest, roughly the price of a Manhattan dinner.
When critics attempted to use their relationship as political ammunition, Zohran publicly defended her, writing:
“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.”
Rama maintains a low public profile but shared a heartfelt election-day post featuring photo-booth images, an I Voted selfie, and a childhood snapshot of Zohran—captioned with “Couldn’t possibly be prouder.”
