Mamdani Releases Tax Return With First Lady: What The Couple Earned

NEW YORK, NY— Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported about $145,000 in total income in 2025, according to a joint tax return released with his wife, Rama Duwaji.

The filing shows most of the income — $131,296 — came from Mamdani’s salary as a state assemblyman. Duwaji, 28, who listed her occupation as a graphic designer, reported earning $10,010 and netted $8,860 after expenses.

The couple also reported $1,643 in royalties tied to Mamdani’s earlier music career under the name Mr. Cardamom, with more than half of that income coming from outside the United States.

They listed an additional $1,951 from interest, dividends and capital gains.

They took the standard deduction of $31,500 and did not itemize charitable contributions. The return shows they expect a refund exceeding $7,000.

Mamdani, 34, reported income largely unchanged from the previous year, when he filed individually and listed $131,398 in earnings from his legislative role along with $1,267 in music royalties.

He married Duwaji in February 2025.

Before marrying Mamdani, Duwaji built a freelance career as an animator and illustrator, earning income through commissioned design work, published illustrations and art sales.

She also participated in artist residencies in Beirut and Paris and led workshops in New York, part of a patchwork of project-based earnings typical for early-career artists.

After graduating, she lived with family in Dubai before moving to New York in 2021 to pursue her work.

Financial disclosures show Mamdani lived in a rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria, Queens, before moving into Gracie Mansion after taking office. The filings also list property ownership in Uganda.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin said she would not release her tax returns, citing precedent from prior speakers, including Adrienne Adams and Corey Johnson, though Johnson publicly released his return during his first year in the role.

Past mayors have varied in their disclosures. Michael R. Bloomberg, a billionaire, routinely released detailed returns outlining extensive assets, including multiple homes. His successor, Bill de Blasio, reported more modest finances.

Eric Adams delayed releasing his tax returns during his first year in office before making them public later that year.