Zohran Kwame Mamdani has made history by defeating Alexander Cuomo to become the first New York City Mayor under the Democratic Party.
Despite facing an opponent with heavy backing from Republicans and a great number of former politicians, Mamdani has become the first Muslim to achieve the feat.
Early Life and Education
Zohran Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, to Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair.
His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a distinguished scholar known for his work on postcolonial theory and African politics, while his mother, Mira Nair, is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker.
Zohran spent his early childhood in Uganda and briefly in South Africa when he was five, before his family relocated to the United States when he was just seven years old.
His family moved a lot before finally settling in New York City, where his father became an anthropology professor at Columbia University.
He attended the Bank Street School for Children on the Upper West Side in New York for his middle school.
He later joined the Bronx High School of Science, where he helped organize the school’s cricket team and unsuccessfully ran for a position in the student government.
Mamdani went on to study Africana Studies at Bowdoin College in Maine, graduating in 2014.
In 2018, Mamdani became a naturalized U.S. citizen, adding to his Ugandan citizenship.
His middle name, Kwame, is in honor of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first Prime Minister.
Early Career & Activism
After earning his degree in Africana Studies in 2014, Zohran Kwame began working as a foreclosure-prevention counselor in Queens.
He guided struggling, low-income homeowners through imminent eviction threats, work that rooted him firmly in New York’s housing crisis.
At the same time, Mamdani channelled his voice into grassroots organizing, collaborating on hunger strikes with taxi drivers and successfully advocating for over $450 million (Ksh58 billion) in debt relief.
Outside the office, he worked on one of his mother’s films and formed a hip-hop duo with a childhood friend, going by the name Young Cardamom (later Mr. Cardamom).
Before stepping onto the political stage, Mamdani also built experience managing campaigns for candidates like Khader El-Yateem and Ross Barkan in New York City, work that shaped Mamdani for his future political career.
Zohran Mamdani’s Political Career
Zohran Mamdani entered electoral politics in 2019, challenging long-term incumbent Aravella Simotas in the 36th District of the New York State Assembly.
In June 2020, he defeated Aravella Simotas, setting the stage for his political progress.
He subsequently ran unopposed in both 2022 and 2024, solidifying his foothold in Queens.
During his time in the Assembly, Mamdani aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America and became known for bold policy advocacy, championing fare-free buses, a $30 (Ksh3,900) minimum wage, and city-owned grocery programs.
“They can’t afford their rent. They can’t afford their childcare. They can’t afford transit. They can’t afford their groceries.”
In October 2024, Zohran announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City, launching a grassroots campaign built on affordability and social inclusivity.
Early polls showed Mamdani’s chances of winning the election stood at 1%, but that quickly changed after he embarked on a campaign that skillfully utilized videos on Instagram and TikTok, showing him greeting and engaging with residents.
On June 24, 2025, Mamdani won the New York City Democratic primary, taking 56% of the final vote to Andrew Cuomo’s 44%.
Mamdani again faced Cuomo, running as an Independent, as well as Republican Curtis Sliwa in the November 2025 general election that featured the highest voter turnout in a New York City mayoral election since 1969.
President Donald Trump, who endorsed Cuomo in the last days of the campaign, threatened to withhold federal funds from New York City if de Blasio were elected.
He also raised the possibility of arresting Mamdani and stripping him of his American citizenship.
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However, his platform of rent stabilization, free public services, and equitable taxation resonated well with the population, and he emerged victorious, becoming the first Muslim, the first South Asian, and the youngest mayor of New York City.
Net Worth
His estimated net worth ranges between $200,000 and $300,000, (between Ksh25.8M and 38.7M) with the bulk of his assets tied to land holdings in Uganda.
He owns approximately four acres in Jinja, valued at up to $250,000 (Ksh32M), which he inherited from family.
Mamdani does not own property in New York City, and rents an apartment in Astoria, Queens, paying around $2,250 (Ksh290,250) per month.
He also does not own a car, relying exclusively on public transportation for his daily commute.
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His income as a New York State Assembly member stands at roughly $142,000 annually (Ksh18M), and that figure is expected to rise to $260,000 (Ksh33M) once he assumes office as mayor in January 2026.
In addition to his public salary, Mamdani earns a small amount—about $1,000 to $1,300 per year (Ksh129,000 to Ksh167,000) —from music royalties under his former rap alias, Mr. Cardamom.
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