- Emirate’s Madame Tussauds relocates wax figure from London for unveiling by former PM Benazir Bhutto’s Son, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
- Dubai holds a special place in our hearts, as my mother and family spent around ten years in exile here
Madame Tussauds Dubai proudly revealed the wax figure of the esteemed late former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto on Sunday.Previously showcased at Madame Tussauds London, the statue has now found its new home in Dubai.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of the late prime minister, had the honor of unveiling the exquisite figure at Bluewaters Island. Expressing his sentiments, he shared, “I first saw this statue in Madame Tussauds London. Dubai holds a special place in our hearts, as my mother and family spent around ten years in exile here. I did my primary and secondary education here in the UAE. I have a strong attachment to this city and country.”
He further added, “I am grateful that the memory of my mother has been honoured here in the form of a wax statue. She symbolised democracy, freedom, and equality of rights for all the people. She was a progressive face of Pakistan.” The inauguration of the wax statue served as a poignant tribute to the influential legacy left behind by the former Pakistani leader.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to UAE, joins unveiling of Benazir Bhutto’s wax figure
The prestigious Madame Tussauds Museum in Dubai hosted a momentous ceremony to unveil the wax figure of the late former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. The event was graced by the presence of Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, who expressed delight over the figure’s display, stating, “We are so happy that this has been made possible by Madame Tussauds Museum.”
Earlier, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan Ambassador, welcomed the guests and recalled the first tenure of Benazir Bhutto while he was starting his career in late 80s.
Sanaz Kollsrud, the General Manager of Madame Tussauds in Dubai, shared fascinating insights into the figure’s history. The wax statue was sculpted back in 1989 and was originally exhibited in London. It was personally presented to Benazir Bhutto during its display, and she collaborated with the artists at that time to select the style and costume. The museum took great pride in bringing this remarkable wax figure to Dubai, where it has undergone a thorough refresh and meticulous enhancements.
“The statue was displayed in Madame Tussauds London and we borrowed to place in our Dubai museum. It will be remain here as long as our visitors and Pakistani community showed interest to visit,” she added.
Creating a wax figure is a time-consuming and intricate process, taking between 6 to 8 months to complete. The craftsmen begin by meticulously measuring every detail from head to toe, with each strand of hair being painstakingly inserted one by one. The artistry involved is both unique and detailed, hence the extended duration. Crafting a single wax figure can incur a cost of around Dh700,000.
Madame Tussauds Dubai is renowned for housing an impressive array of wax figures representing personalities from diverse fields, such as sports, media, politics, entertainment, bloggers, fashion, and more. Situated adjacent to Ain Dubai, the museum opened its doors in 2021, boasting a collection of 60 global stars, including many new wax figures. The addition of Benazir Bhutto’s statue marks a significant milestone, commemorating her impactful legacy within the museum’s illustrious lineup.
Benazir Bhutto was a Pakistani politician and stateswoman who served as the 11th and 13th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. She was the first female leader of any Islamic state in modern history and daughter of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan (1971–1977).
