This day in 1964, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum in London unveils figures of The Beatles; the waxworks later appear on the Sgt. Pepper album cover.
Marie Tussaud is renowned worldwide for the wax sculptures that bear her name. She established the Madame Tussauds wax museum, which became a popular attraction in London and later expanded internationally.
She learned wax modelling from Philippe Curtius in Bern, Switzerland.
At 16, she crafted her first wax figure of Voltaire. During the French Revolution, she narrowly escaped execution and made death masks of executed royals and revolutionaries.
In 1802, she moved to London with her young son. She toured Britain for 33 years, showcasing her wax figures.
In 1835, she set up her first permanent exhibition in Baker Street, London and married François Tussaud, but later separated from him.
She wrote her memoirs in 1838 and created a self-portrait in wax in 1842.
This self-portrait remains on display at the entrance of her museum. She died in 1850 at the age of 88, but her legacy has been preserved and ultimately transformed by the Madame Tussauds museums, which feature lifelike wax figures of celebrities and historical figures.
Born: December 1, 1761
Birthplace: Strasbourg, France
Died: April 16, 1850 (aged 88)
Cause of Death: In her sleep
