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Madame Tussauds Museum is a museum of wax figures located in various cities around the world, including London, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, New York, and Sydney. The museum is named after its founder, Marie Tussaud, who was born in France in 1761. Madame Tussauds museums around the world feature lifelike wax figures of famous individuals from various fields, including entertainment, sports, politics, and history. Visitors can take photos with the wax figures and learn about the lives and achievements of the people they represent. The museum has become a popular tourist attraction in many cities and has inspired similar wax museums around the world.
History
Madame Tussauds Museum has a rich and fascinating history, dating back to its founder Marie Tussaud’s early career in France in the late 18th century. Marie Tussaud was born in Strasbourg, France, in 1761. She learned the art of wax sculpting from her mother’s employer, a physician named Philippe Curtius, who used wax models to teach anatomy. Tussaud quickly developed her skills and began creating wax models of famous French figures, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire.
During the French Revolution, Tussaud was employed to make death masks of prominent figures who had been executed, including King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. She also made wax models of the revolution’s leaders, such as Maximilien Robespierre and Georges Danton.
In 1802, Tussaud moved to London with her collection of wax figures and established a museum on Baker Street. The museum was an instant success and attracted large crowds who were fascinated by Tussaud’s lifelike wax models of famous people from history and contemporary society.
Over the years, Tussaud’s collection continued to grow, and she added new wax figures of celebrities and public figures, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Tussaud’s sons also joined the family business, and they continued to expand the museum’s collection and operations.
Today, Madame Tussauds has become a global brand with museums in cities around the world, including London, New York, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong. The museum continues to attract millions of visitors each year, who come to see the lifelike wax figures and learn about the people they represent.
The Making of a Star
- 1761 Madame Tussaud is born Marie Grosholtz in Strasbourg.
- 1777 Marie models the famous author and philosopher, Francois Voltaire.
- 1780 Marie becomes an art tutor to King Louis XVI’s sister and goes to live at the Royal Court in Versailles.
- 1789 On the eve of The French Revolution, Marie returns to Paris.
- 1793 Marie is imprisoned with her mother in the notorious Laforce Prison, Paris. On her release, she is forced to prove her allegiance to the Revolution by making death masks of executed nobles and her former employers, the King and Queen.
- 1794 The French Revolution ends and Marie inherits Dr. Philippe Curtius’s wax exhibition.
- 1795 Marie marries François Tussaud.
Attractions Around The World
- 1972 The second European Madame Tussauds attraction opens in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- 1999 The first American Madame Tussauds opens in Las Vegas.
- 2000 The second American Madame Tussauds attraction opens in New York, and the same year Madame Tussauds opens in Hong Kong.
- 2006 Madame Tussauds opens in Shanghai.
- 2007 The third American attraction opens in Washington DC.
- 2008 The third European site becomes Berlin, where the attraction opens in ‘Under the trees’.
- 2009 The fourth American site opens in Hollywood.
- 2010 Madame Tussauds Bangkok opens in December – the third attraction in Asia.
- 2011 Vienna (Austria) and Blackpool (UK) both opened in April 2011 – the global count is now up to 12 attractions.
- 2011 Celebrating 250 Years!
- 2012 G’day! Madame Tussauds arrives Down Under in Sydney.
- 2013 Madame Tussauds attractions open in Tokyo and Wuhan.
- 2014 The fifth US attraction opens in San Francisco, California, and China’s third attraction opens in Beijing, and Singapore gets its very own Madame Tussauds.
- 2015 Madame Tussauds lands in Orlando, Florida.
- 2016 Madame Tussauds opens attractions in Istanbul and Chongqing.
- 2017 Attractions in Nashville and Delhi open.
- 2019 Madame Tussauds opens a branch in Prague.
- 2021 The first Madame Tussauds in the Middle East opens its doors in Dubai.
Famous Wax Figures
The wax figures at Madame Tussauds Museum vary depending on the location, as each museum creates its own unique exhibits. However, some of the most famous wax figures found at various Madame Tussauds museums around the world include:
- Madame Tussaud
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Barack Obama
- Meghan Markle
- Abraham Lincoln
- Dwayne Johnson
- Michael Jackson
- Amitabh Bachchan
- Tom Cruise
- Angelina Jolie
- Taylor Swift
- Kate Winslet
- Prince Harry
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Beyonce
- George Washington
- Donald Trump
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Salman Khan
- Justin Bieber
- Brad Pitt
- Tom Hardy
- Deepika Padukone
- Katy Perry
- Kim Kardashian
- Lionel Messi
- David Beckham
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas
- Usain Bolt
- Shah Rukh Khan
- Albert Einstein
- Nelson Mandela
The museums have a constantly changing roster of wax figures, with new additions added regularly. The figures represent famous people from a wide range of fields, including politics, sports, music, film, television, and history.
Net Worth
It is difficult to determine the exact net worth of Madame Tussauds Museum as it is owned by Merlin Entertainments, a British-based company that operates a number of attractions around the world, including theme parks, aquariums, and other tourist destinations.
However, according to reports, Merlin Entertainments was acquired by a consortium led by the investment firm Blackstone in 2019 for approximately £5.9 billion (US$7.6 billion), which includes all of its attractions including Madame Tussauds.
It’s worth noting that the value of Madame Tussauds Museum itself is likely dependent on various factors such as the number of visitors, the popularity of the attraction, and operating costs. Nevertheless, the brand and the museum have undoubtedly been successful, and the museum continues to be a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Conclusion
The Madame Tussauds brand is a valuable asset, and the museum continues to be a popular tourist attraction, generating significant revenue for its owners. Overall, Madame Tussauds is a fascinating and entertaining destination that offers a unique glimpse into the world of fame and celebrity.
