NYC Mayor First Ladies Over the Years, From Donna Hanover to Rama Duwaji

When Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as New York City’s 111th mayor in January, he will unquestionably be sharing that spotlight with his wife, Rama Duwaji. The youthful pair, who each have lived abroad at different points in their lives, may usher in a new vantage point for political power couples. At 28, the illustrator and animator will also be the city’s youngest first lady.

While New York City’s first mayor was elected in 1665, it has only been in the last century that mayors’ wives have become increasingly scrutinized by the public, especially in the last 20 years.

Looking back at memorable mayors, from Jimmy Walker to Eric Adams, Manhattan Borough historian Robert Snyder cited Bill De Blasio’s wife Chirlane McCray as a first lady “who tried to stake out a role for herself.” Her husband