Zohran Mamdani - Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Wife, Girlfriend, Family, Life Story & More
Name: Zohran
Mamdani
Age: 35 October
18, 1991
Profession: Politician
Birthplace: Kampala, Uganda
Current Position:
Mayor of New York City (since January 2026)
Previous Position:
Member of the New York State Assembly (36th District, 2020–2025)
Political Affiliation:
Democratic Socialist / Progressive
Personal Life: Married Syrian-American artist Rama Duwaji
in 2025
Citizenship: Naturalized U.S. citizen (2018);
also
holds Ugandan citizenship
Zohran Mamdani Education
Education:
- Bronx
High School of Science (co-founded the school’s first cricket team)
- Bowdoin
College, degree in Africana Studies (founded first Students for Justice in
Palestine chapter)
Zohran Mamdani Parents
Parents: Filmmaker Mira Nair and academic
Mahmood Mamdani
Upbringing: Lived in Cape Town, South Africa
(ages
5–7) and then moved to New York City
Early Career: Housing counselor, community
organizer,
foreclosure counselor
Key Policies:
- Rent
freezes and affordable housing expansion
- Free
citywide bus service
- Universal
childcare
- City-owned
grocery stores
Historic Achievements:
- First
Muslim mayor of New York City
- First
Indian American mayor of New York City
- Youngest
NYC mayor since 1889
Zohran Mamdani: Mayor of New York City
Zohran Mamdani, born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian parents—filmmaker Mira Nair
and academic Mahmood Mamdani—is a prominent New York politician. Since January
2026, he has served as New York City’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor. A
democratic socialist, Mamdani is known for his progressive platform, which
emphasizes affordable housing, expanded public services, and social equity.
A former State Assembly member representing Astoria,
Queens, Mamdani transitioned from community organizing and foreclosure
counseling to public office. He has advocated for policies such as rent
freezes, free public transit, and universal childcare, while also gaining
attention for his strong pro-Palestinian stance.
Early Life & Education
- Born:
October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda
- Parents:
Filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani
- Upbringing:
Moved to Cape Town, South Africa, at age five, then to New York City at
seven
- Education: Attended Bronx High School of Science, co-founding its first cricket team. Graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in Africana Studies, where he established the first Students for Justice in Palestine chapter
Political Career & Activism
- Early
Work: Began as a housing counselor and community
organizer
- State
Assembly: Elected to the New York State
Assembly (36th District) in 2020, becoming the first South Asian man and
one of the few Muslims in the body. He served multiple terms and
co-created a pilot program making select NYC buses free for a year. In
2021, he undertook a 15-day hunger strike to protest predatory loans
targeting taxi drivers, helping secure $450 million in debt relief.
- Mayoralty:
Announced his candidacy for NYC mayor in October 2024, focusing on
affordability, rent stabilization, free public transportation, and
city-owned grocery stores. Despite low initial name recognition, his
campaign leveraged social media to connect with voters. On June 24, 2025,
he won the Democratic primary with 56% of the vote, defeating Andrew
Cuomo, and went on to win the general election in November 2025.
Key Policies & Positions
- Housing:
Rent freezes, affordable housing expansion, landlord accountability
- Transportation:
Free citywide bus service
- Social
Services: Universal childcare, city-owned
grocery stores
- Foreign
Policy: Advocates for Palestinian human
rights while committing to combating antisemitism; supports equal rights
for Israelis and Palestinians
Personal Life
- Citizenship:
Naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018; also holds Ugandan citizenship
- Marriage:
Married Syrian-American artist Rama Duwaji in 2025
- Identity:
Embraces his multicultural heritage, speaking multiple languages in
campaign videos
Historic Mayoral Tenure
Mamdani assumed office on January 1, 2026, becoming NYC’s first Muslim and
Indian American mayor, as well as its youngest mayor since 1889. Sworn in by
Senator Bernie Sanders, he delivered an inaugural address emphasizing
progressive governance while pledging to serve all New Yorkers. He stated:
"If you are a New Yorker, I am your
mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you,
mourn alongside you, and never, not for a second, hide from you."