From City Clerk to Lake Victoria: The Two Weddings of Zohran Mamdani and Rama Duwaji
What began as a quiet, intimate union in a New York City City Clerk’s office evolved into a multi-day, globe-spanning celebration—complete with luxury accommodations, special forces security, and a showcase of cultural heritage.
The wedding of Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s newly elected mayor, and Rama Duwaji, celebrated artist and Gen Z First Lady, was as much a story of love as it was a reflection of modern public life.
A Modern Love Story Begins
Mamdani and Duwaji first connected on the dating app Hinge in 2021, a meeting that would set the stage for both political and personal partnership. By 2024, the couple was engaged, their relationship quietly gaining attention as Mamdani rose through the political ranks.
In February 2025, the couple chose to elope, sharing a private ceremony in New York City. Photographer Kara McCurdy captured the moment with warmth and simplicity: Duwaji wore a knee-length lace gown, Mamdani a kurta-style tunic paying homage to his heritage, and both were wrapped in cozy coats and scarves against the winter chill. On May 12, Mamdani posted photos from the elopement on Instagram, defending his wife amid online commentary:
“Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk’s office. […] 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.”
Celebration Across Continents
The private Manhattan ceremony was only the beginning. In July, Mamdani announced on X that the couple would celebrate with a grand multi-day wedding in Uganda, responding to xenophobic commentary online and embracing his family’s roots. From July 22, the couple hosted an extravagant gathering at his family’s private estate in Buziga Hill, near Kampala. The two-acre property, co-owned by filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia professor Mahmood Mamdani, overlooks the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria.
Security for the event was meticulous. Masked guards manned three gates, phone-jamming systems prevented unwanted recording, and luxury buses transported the select guest list safely. Military-style tents, festooned with colorful lights, hosted festivities that lasted deep into the night, combining cultural ceremony with modern spectacle. Observers described the atmosphere as simultaneously grand and personal—a rare balance in politically high-profile celebrations.
A Modest Life Amid Public Attention
Despite hosting such lavish events, Mamdani and Duwaji maintain a relatively modest lifestyle in Astoria, Queens, residing in a rent-stabilized apartment. During the mayoral campaign, critics questioned how Mamdani, as an elected official, continued to pay low rent. He clarified that the apartment was secured years earlier while working as a housing counselor and emphasized that it was never intended to be a permanent residence. With his election as mayor, the couple is expected to move into Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence.
Rama Duwaji: Art, Advocacy, and Partnership
Throughout the campaign and wedding celebrations, Duwaji maintained her professional and creative pursuits. Her illustration work has appeared in New York Magazine, The New Yorker, and other prominent outlets, while she also actively engages in humanitarian initiatives, such as art auctions supporting Sudan relief. By blending artistry, advocacy, and public visibility, Duwaji has redefined what it means to be a political spouse in the 21st century—bringing creativity, compassion, and intellect to the forefront of civic life.
A Wedding That Spans Intimacy and Spectacle
From a quiet elopement in Manhattan’s City Clerk’s office to an opulent, highly secured celebration overlooking Lake Victoria, Zohran Mamdani and Rama Duwaji’s wedding is a testament to their love, cultural heritage, and modern identity as public figures. The two events highlight how intimacy and spectacle can coexist, balancing personal connection with global attention, tradition with contemporary flair.
In an era where the private lives of political figures are intensely scrutinized, Mamdani and Duwaji’s weddings demonstrate that love, creativity, and cultural celebration can thrive—even under the public gaze. It is a story of partnership, respect, and the evolving nature of marriage in the 21st century.