Tussauds

Tussauds refers to Madame Tussauds, a renowned chain of wax museums founded by Marie Grosholtz in Paris in the late 18th century. She trained as a wax sculptor and produced lifelike portraits for a living, gaining early fame for her wax figures of notable figures from the French Revolution. In 1835 she opened a permanent wax museum in London, and the collection later moved to its current site on Marylebone Road in 1884. Over time, the museum expanded to cover a wide range of figures from history, royalty, entertainment, and public life.

The business grew beyond London and the brand became a global network of wax museums. The Madame Tussauds brand is today owned by Merlin Entertainments, which acquired The Tussauds Group in 2007, leading to a wider international presence. Locations include major cities across Europe, Asia, and North America, such as Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, New York, and Washington, D.C., among others. Each museum houses hundreds of wax figures and offers interactive experiences, with continuous updates to reflect contemporary celebrities as well as historical icons.

Tussauds has become one of the world’s best-known attractions for wax sculpture and celebrity culture. The museums are positioned as educational yet entertaining showcases of likeness and craft, drawing visitors from around the world. The brand continues to be associated with high-quality wax figures and rotating exhibitions that aim to capture current public figures alongside enduring historical personalities.