Zohran Mamdani has made history as New York City’s first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born mayor — and the youngest in more than a century. At 34, the democratic socialist defeated Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa with 50.4% of the vote.

In his victory speech, Mamdani told supporters, “The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate… I am young… I am Muslim… I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologise for any of this.” He added that he would “wake up each morning with a singular purpose — to make this city better for you than it was the day before.”

Born in Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York at age seven, studied Africana Studies at Bowdoin College, and began his career helping low-income families fight eviction. His progressive politics and advocacy for justice have drawn praise and controversy alike — including tension with Donald Trump.

Mamdani’s wife, 28-year-old Syrian-American artist Rama Duwaji, also made history as NYC’s first Gen Z First Lady. The couple met on Hinge and married earlier this year.

As one supporter joked online, “Mamdani’s wife is literally my age. It’s so over.” Others called him “inspiring” and predicted, “I’d be shocked if he doesn’t become POTUS someday.”