Marie Tussaud

Her family’s association with Dr. Curtius, whose wax figures of revolutionaries were carried in protest, plunged Marie into the heart of France’s turmoil. Perceived as a royal sympathizer, she faced arrest during the Reign of Terror. Her head was shaved, preparing her for the guillotine. She attributed her release to a supporter of Curtius, but the experience left its mark, compelling her to continue her unique work. After Curtius's death in 1794, Marie inherited his entire collection, marrying François Tussaud a year later.

In 1802, Marie made a momentous decision, journeying to London with her four-year-old son, Joseph, to exhibit her collection. She found herself unable to return to France due to the Napoleonic Wars, beginning a remarkable 33-year odyssey. She traveled tirelessly throughout the British Isles, a solitary entrepreneur with her extraordinary works. She reunited with her son François in 1822, and together they continued to bring her wax portraits to eager audiences across the country, building a reputation with every stop.

After decades of touring, Marie, in her seventies, finally found a permanent home for her exhibition. In 1835, she established her museum on Baker Street in London. She wrote her memoirs three years later, sharing her incredible life story. In 1842, she created a striking self-portrait, a final, enduring testament to the woman who peered into the faces of history and captured their essence. Marie Tussaud passed away peacefully in her sleep in London in 1850, at the age of 88, having created a legacy that still fascinates millions today, continuing through her sons and grandsons.