Madame Tussaud became famous by making wax figures of murderers, executed royals, and dictators. Photos show her museum's eerie history.

Gabbi ShawJan 13, 2024, 08:19 IST

John Tussaud, the great-grandson of Madame Tussaud, working on a model of the Irish playwright and social critic, George Bernard Shaw.General Photographic Agency/Getty Images

The wax museum Madame Tussauds has been around in some form since the 1800s.
It was founded by Marie Tussaud, who made her first waxworks from the bodies of dead people.

Madame Tussauds might be best known as a tourist trap now, but in the beginning, it was a subversive way to interact with history — patrons could come face-to-face with waxworks of recently murdered monarchs, convicted murderers, and a working-scale model of a guillotine.

Over the last 200 years, the behind-the-scenes workings of Madame Tussauds have been photographed and sketched, which means you can see how its wax figures have evolved over the years.

Here's a look back through Madame Tussauds' 200-year history, from its humble, eerie beginnings to 23 locations around the world.

Madame Tussauds is named for Marie Tussaud, née Grosholtz, who was born in the French city of Strasbourg in 1761.

A waxwork of Marie Tussaud.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In 1780, she became the art tutor of King Louis XVI's sister and lived in Versailles, but when the French Revolution began, she moved back to Paris, where she was imprisoned in La Force Prison as a potential monarchist.

A rendering of La Force Prison.Photo12/Fondation Napoleon/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

In 1780, she became the art tutor of King Louis XVI's sister and lived in Versailles, but when the French Revolution began, she moved back to Paris, where she was imprisoned in La Force Prison as a potential monarchist.

By 1795, she had married Franćois Tussaud and inherited Curtius' wax collection. She also officially changed her name to Madame Tussaud. In 1802, she left her husband behind to tour the British Isles with her collection.

An engraved scene of people visiting and looking at statues in Madame Tussauds Wax museum on Baker Street, London, circa 1830s.Kean Collection/Getty Images

By 1795, she had married Franćois Tussaud and inherited Curtius' wax collection. She also officially changed her name to Madame Tussaud. In 1802, she left her husband behind to tour the British Isles with her collection.

Her sons eventually joined her, and they set up a semi-permanent exhibit in 1835 at the Baker Street Bazaar in London.

Victorian bill stickers paste placards advertising Madame Tussaud's waxworks museum in London in 1877.John Thomson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Tussaud taught her sons everything she knew.

John Theodore Tussaud (1858-1943), sculptor, manager and chief artist of Madame Tussauds at work.The Print Collector/Getty Images

In 1846, she officially established the macabre Chamber of Horrors, which, of course, attracted the most visitors.

A sketch from 1849 shows the Chamber of Horrors at Madame Tussaud's wax museum.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

At first, it was where the waxworks of the executed French royalty lived, but it evolved to house serial killers and other heinous figures.

Wax models of executed murderers Diereneuk and Barmouth, with Smith, of the "Brides in the Bath" fame on display at Madame Tussauds in London.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

This is a waxwork of convicted murderer Steinie Morrison.

A waxwork model of Steinie Morrison in Madame Tussauds Chamber of Horrors.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Some of the wax figures became so popular they'd be guests of honor at other events. A sculpture of murderer Charles Peace was even transported to a meeting of London's "Crime Club" to be the honorary president.

The wax figure of Charles Peace, a notorious English murderer, is carried from Madame Tussauds to a car, in order to function as honorary president at an evening meeting of the "Crime Club."Imagno/Getty Images

Some of the wax figures became so popular they'd be guests of honor at other events. A sculpture of murderer Charles Peace was even transported to a meeting of London's "Crime Club" to be the honorary president.

Historical figures also made their way to the Chamber of Horrors, like Adolf Hilter.

A picture taken on November 24, 1938, shows the wax figure of German Nazi Chancellor Adolf Hitler having his mustache combed by a hairdresser at Madame Tussauds Wax museum in London.AFP/Getty Images

The Chamber of Horrors remained popular until it closed in April 2016, but it didn't stay gone for long. It reopened in 2022.

The head of Joseph Stalin is cleaned, around 1930.brandstaetter images/Getty Images

Madame Tussaud died in 1850, leaving her son Joseph in charge. This waxwork is a self-portrait completed in 1942. It's still on display at the original London location.

A self-portrait of Madame Tussaud.ullstein bild/Getty Images

The Tussauds were involved in the museum until 1889, when Madame Tussaud's great-grandson John Theodore sold the company — though he remained as manager and chief artist until his death in 1943.

John Tussaud, the great-grandson of Madame Tussaud, working on a model of the Irish playwright and social critic, George Bernard Shaw.General Photographic Agency/Getty Images

The Tussauds were involved in the museum until 1889, when Madame Tussaud's great-grandson John Theodore sold the company — though he remained as manager and chief artist until his death in 1943.

In 1884, the museum's location was moved to London's Marylebone Road where it stood until 1925, when it was destroyed by a fire.

The Madame Tussauds location on Marylebone Road, London.Museum of London/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Police attempted to save as many waxworks as they could from the 1925 fire.

A fireman with some of the wax figures that were saved, after the fire at the famous waxworks, Madame Tussauds in London in 1925.Davis/Getty Images

It took three years to reopen after the 1925 fire. The museum was restored by 1928, with additions of a restaurant and a movie theater.

Circa 1930: Sales assistants in the souvenir bookshop at Madame Tussauds, London.General Photographic Agency/Getty Images

As the museum grew in popularity, more and more celebrities were represented. This is a waxwork of then-Princess Elizabeth in 1928.

Two young boys stare at a waxwork model of Princess Elizabeth at Madame Tussaud's waxworks in London in June 1928.A. R. Coster/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Here's professional soccer player Tom Parker sitting opposite himself and John Tussaud in 1930.

Footballer Tom Parker, captain of Arsenal, sat for waxwork maker John Tussaud in April 1930.J. Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

The wax-sculpting process can be a tedious one.

Part of a waxwork's face being lowered into a pot at Madame Tussauds' waxworks museum in London, circa 1950.George Pickow/Three Lions/Getty Images

Today, it takes three to four months and at least 10 people to create a wax figure.

A cameraman films a couple of women as they craft waxwork heads for a new exhibition at Madame Tussauds in London in 1928.Console/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Julie Andrews, then best known for starring in "My Fair Lady" on Broadway, sat to get her head measured in 1958.

Julie Andrews is measured for her waxwork in 1958.George Greenwell/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

John Lennon and George Harrison were photographed trying to pick the perfect eyes for their wax counterparts in 1964.

John Lennon and George Harrison with glass eyes when the Beatles' details were being taken for their Madame Tussauds waxworks during the making of "A Hard Day's Night" in 1964.Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Almost 50 years later, Harry Styles and the rest of One Direction were subjected to the same measurements.

Harry Styles of One Direction poses with calipers during a figure sitting where he is measured for a wax figure creation in 2013.Madame Tussauds/Getty Images

For the last 200 years, people have been captivated by Madame Tussauds and her ever-growing collection of wax celebrities and controversial figures.

A waxwork of Caryl Chessman being sculpted for the Chamber of Horrors at Madame Tussauds in London, circa 1960.Express/Archive Photos/Getty Images

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Madame Tussaud became famous by making wax figures of murderers, executed royals, and dictators. Photos show her museum's eerie history.

Madame Tussauds is named for Marie Tussaud, née Grosholtz, who was born in the French city of Strasbourg in 1761.

In 1780, she became the art tutor of King Louis XVI's sister and lived in Versailles, but when the French Revolution began, she moved back to Paris, where she was imprisoned in La Force Prison as a potential monarchist.

By 1795, she had married Franćois Tussaud and inherited Curtius' wax collection. She also officially changed her name to Madame Tussaud. In 1802, she left her husband behind to tour the British Isles with her collection.

Her sons eventually joined her, and they set up a semi-permanent exhibit in 1835 at the Baker Street Bazaar in London.

Tussaud taught her sons everything she knew.

In 1846, she officially established the macabre Chamber of Horrors, which, of course, attracted the most visitors.

At first, it was where the waxworks of the executed French royalty lived, but it evolved to house serial killers and other heinous figures.

This is a waxwork of convicted murderer Steinie Morrison.

Some of the wax figures became so popular they'd be guests of honor at other events. A sculpture of murderer Charles Peace was even transported to a meeting of London's "Crime Club" to be the honorary president.

Historical figures also made their way to the Chamber of Horrors, like Adolf Hilter.

The Chamber of Horrors remained popular until it closed in April 2016, but it didn't stay gone for long. It reopened in 2022.

Madame Tussaud died in 1850, leaving her son Joseph in charge. This waxwork is a self-portrait completed in 1942. It's still on display at the original London location.

The Tussauds were involved in the museum until 1889, when Madame Tussaud's great-grandson John Theodore sold the company — though he remained as manager and chief artist until his death in 1943.

In 1884, the museum's location was moved to London's Marylebone Road where it stood until 1925, when it was destroyed by a fire.

Police attempted to save as many waxworks as they could from the 1925 fire.

It took three years to reopen after the 1925 fire. The museum was restored by 1928, with additions of a restaurant and a movie theater.

As the museum grew in popularity, more and more celebrities were represented. This is a waxwork of then-Princess Elizabeth in 1928.

Here's professional soccer player Tom Parker sitting opposite himself and John Tussaud in 1930.

The wax-sculpting process can be a tedious one.

Today, it takes three to four months and at least 10 people to create a wax figure.

Julie Andrews, then best known for starring in "My Fair Lady" on Broadway, sat to get her head measured in 1958.

John Lennon and George Harrison were photographed trying to pick the perfect eyes for their wax counterparts in 1964.

Almost 50 years later, Harry Styles and the rest of One Direction were subjected to the same measurements.

For the last 200 years, people have been captivated by Madame Tussauds and her ever-growing collection of wax celebrities and controversial figures.