200 years of fame

Madame Tussauds

Millions and millions of people have flocked through the doors of Madame Tussauds since they
first opened over 200 years ago and it remains just as popular as it ever was. There are many
reasons for this enduring success, but at the heart of it all is good, old-fashioned curiosity.
Todays visitors are sent on a unique, emotionally-charged journey through the realms of the
powerful and famous. The museum-style ropes and poles have gone so guests can truly get up,
close and personal with A-list celebrities, sporting legends, political heavyweights and
historical icons, reliving the times, events and moments that made the world talk about
them.

From France to Britain

The attractions history is a rich and fascinating one, with roots dating back to the Paris of
1770. It was here that Madame Tussaud learnt to model wax likenesses under the tutelage of
her mentor, Dr Philippe Curtius. At the age of 17, she became art tutor to King Louis XVIs
sister at the Palace Of Versailles and then, during the French Revolution, was hastily forced to
prove her allegiance to the feudalistic nobles by making the death masks of executed
aristocrats. Madame Tussaud came to Britain in the early 19th century alongside a travelling
exhibition of revolutionary relics and effigies of public heroes and rogues.

Bringing The News to Life

At a time when news was communicated largely by word of mouth, Madame Tussauds
exhibition was a kind of travelling newspaper, providing insight into global events and bringing
the ordinary public face-to-face with the people in the headlines. Priceless artefacts from the
French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars brought to vividly life events in Europe which had a
direct bearing on everyday lives. Figures of leading statesmen and, in the Chamber of Horrors,
notorious villains put faces to the names on everyones lips and captured the public
imagination. In 1835, Madame Tussauds exhibition established a permanent base in London
as the Baker Street Bazaar - visitors paid sixpence for the chance to meet the biggest names
of the day. The attraction moved to its present site in Marylebone Road come 1884.

In the 20th century Madame Tussauds role began to change. Thanks to the rapid growth of
both popular tabloid press and public literacy, information about current events was easily
acquired. The attraction gradually, therefore, became less a source of direct news, than a
commentary on popular celebrity. It also came through some major upheavals, surviving near
destruction by fire (1925), earthquake (1931) and World War II Blitz bombing (1940.) Today,
Madame Tussauds is bigger and better than ever, combining its diverse history with the
relentless glamour, intrigue and infamy of 21st century celebrity.
Some of Madame Tussauds original work and earliest relics are still on display in London,
including the death masks she was forced to make during the French Revolution and the
Guillotine that beheaded Marie Antoinette. Guests can also marvel at probably the earliest
example of animatronics Sleeping Beauty, a breathing likeness of Louis XVs sleeping
mistress Madame du Barry sculpted in 1763, is the attractions oldest figure on display.

And then there are the more contemporary, more interactive stars. From Brad Pitt, with his
squeezable bum, to Kate Moss, alongside whom you can pose for the cover of a glossy fashion
mag, the biggest names in entertainment, sport and politics are all dazzlingly represented;
authentic down to the very last eye lash.

Finger On The Pulse

Madame Tussauds continues regularly to add figures that reflect contemporary public opinion
and celebrity popularity Bollywood kings like Shah Rukh Khan; Hollywood sirens such as
Nicole Kidman; pop idols Timberlake and Minogue. The attraction also continues to expand
globally with established international branches in New York, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Shanghai,
Amsterdam and Washington DC soon to be joined by new outlets in Berlin (July 2008) and
Hollywood (2009) all with the same rich mix of interaction, authenticity and local appeal.

A visit to Madame Tussauds is essential where else can you savour two centuries of fame and
notoriety, and tell the great and good exactly what you think of them? Itll be your most
famous day out ever!

Early Years

The History of Madame Tussauds - Early Years

1700 -1800 Madame Tussauds is born Marie Grosholtz and learns her skills from Dr Philippe
Curtius in the years leading up to the French revolution

Discover Madame Tussauds Early years

On Baker Street

The History of Madame Tussauds London - Established on Baker Street

1800-1900 Madame Tussauds takes her exhibition on tour and establishes a base at Baker
Street in London. The attraction survives World War II and becomes an interactive experience
in the 1990s.

Established on Baker Street

New Millennium

The History of Madame Tussauds London - New Millennium

2000 - present day New interactive areas of the attraction are launched, and the Planetarium
is replaced by a new cinematic show created by Aardmans animations.

Bringing the attraction into the new millennium

New Millennium

2000: Madame Tussauds introduces timed entry for visitors who prefer to book in advance

2001: A new area Premiere Night opens showcasing Hollywoods hottest celebrities. The
attraction also removes the ropes and poles surrounding figures allowing guests to fully
interact with the great and good.

2002: The first of a series of special temporary attractions opens. Goal! gives guests the chance
to relive the moment England qualified for the 2002 World Cup finals. The infamous
Marylebone Road queue disappears with the opening of a new pre show area where guests
are entertained in comfort whilst waiting to purchase tickets.

2003: Madame Tussauds unveils new Blush area, taking guests behind the usually closed
doors of an A-list party

2004: The Journey To Infinity show opens At The London Planetarium.

2005: Reality TV phenomenon Big Brother comes to Madame Tussauds, offering guests a
chance to sit in the fabled Diary Room and meet presenter Davina McCall.

2006: Prince Harry is unveiled as part of Madame Tussauds popular royal attraction, and
Johnny Depp, in character as Captn Jack Sparrow, arrives in a new Pirates Of The Caribbean
experience. The London Planetarium closes, paving the way for an exciting new cinematic
show created by Aardman Animations.

2007: Madame Tussauds introduces supermodel Kate Moss. Other A-listers to arrive include
Justin Timberlake, Nicole Kidman, Leonardo DiCaprio and a fourth version of Kylie Minogue.
World Stage relaunches following an extensive, 1m refurbishment guests can enjoy brand
new, fully interactive Sports, Royal, Culture, Music and Political Zones. A special History Zone
also opens, sharing some of the secrets behind figure-making with visitors and highlighting
Madame Tussauds world famous 200-year heritage. Madame Tussauds wins the Bronze Award
at Visit London's Awards for Marketing/PR Campaign of the Year.

2008: The first figure to be launched is Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan, followed by
Hollywoods favourite girls, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz. Two European political
heavyweights in the fom of Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy whilst Gordon Brown, the
British Prime Minister, is voted out of the attraction by the public. Jim Carey is launched with a
fully interactive set.
Find out what's inside Madame Tussauds London...

1. Party

David and Victoria Becham

Emma Watson

Kate Winslet

Helen Mirren

Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner

Rusell Brand

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

Johnny Depp

George Clooney

Walk the red carpet, strike a pose for the paparazzi, and join the party to end all parties!

3. Film

E.T.

Terminator

Shrek

Steven Spielberg

Whoopi Goldberg

Audrey Hepburn

Step straight into the movies with some of the greatest icons of film history.
5. Royals

Queen Elizabeth 2

The duke and duchess of Cambridge

Historic Royals

You're invited by royal appointment to an audience with The Queen!

7. Music

Rihanna

Adele

Michael Jackson

Freddie Mercury

Bob Marley

Madonna

Lady gaga

Britney Spears

Grab your backstage pass to the music event of the year and meet some iconic recording
artists!

9 + 10. Chamber of Horrors & Scream!

A maximum security prison has been taken over by its inmates, live and on the loose!

12. Spirit of London Ride

Hop into one of London's infamous black cabs and take a journey through the capital's history.

14. 4D Movie Experience

Fight side-by-side with Marvel Super Heroes as you battle Dr Doom in a 4D movie experience!

Please note that Madame Tussauds reserves the right to remove or alter figures and close
areas of the attraction, for technical, operational, health and safety or other reasons without
prior notice.

2. Bollywood

Aishwarya Rai

Amibath Bachchan

Hrithik Roshan

Kareena Kapoor

Meet some of the biggest and most well known names in Indian cinema!

4. Sport

Usain Bolt

Mo Farah

Jessica Ennis-Hill

Pele
Rafael Nadal

Bobby Moore

Tom Daley

On your marks, get set, go! This is your chance to see the world's biggest sports stars up close.

6. Culture

Albert Einstein

Charles Dickens

Stephen Hawking

Vincent Van Gogh

Encounter some of the greatest cultural icons that have shaped our world.

8. World Leaders

David Cameron

Nelson Mandela

Barack Obama

Boris Johnson

Step into the shoes of the world's most revered and respected leaders.

11. Behind the Scenes at Madame Tussauds

Take a glimpse behind the scenes at how a wax figure is made at Madame Tussauds.

13. Marvel Super Heroes

Feel what it's like to have super powers as you hang out with our Marvel Super Heroes!