The timeless and iconic Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed remains a truly remarkable woman in Pakistan’s history. Besides her historic achievement as the first female head-of-state in the Muslim world, her legacy endures to this day.
Having the distinction of being the first Pakistani to have a Madame Tussauds wax figure in her honor, Bhutto’s wax statue, adorned in her iconic attire from her swearing-in ceremony as Pakistan’s first female prime minister on December 2, 1988, is now displayed at the museum in Dubai.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bhutto’s son, graced the unveiling event and revealed the statue himself.
The striking green kameez-white dupatta ensemble worn by Bhutto continues to capture attention both in the past and the present.
“The statue was presented to Benazir when it was displayed. She chose the style and costume with the artists at that time. We were happy that we could borrow a wax figure and have it here. It has been refreshed, and there is a lot of extra work done on the figure,” said Sanaz Kollsrud, the general manager of Madame Tussauds in Dubai, as quoted by The Khaleej Times.
Bilawal expressed his pride and humility on Twitter, stating, “With immense pride and humility, I attended the unveiling of the statue of the first Pakistani personality to be commemorated at Madame Tussauds today in Dubai – the inimitable, the indomitable, the irreplaceable, my mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.”
With immense pride and humility, I attended the unveiling of the statue of the first Pakistani personality to be commemorated at Madame Tussauds today in Dubai – the inimitable, the indomitable, the irreplaceable, my mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
I am sure that this… pic.twitter.com/xRshlEu5aB
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 31, 2023
He further shared, “I am sure that this statue will serve to inspire generations to come and remind us of the enduring resonance of the values #SMBB lived and fought for – democracy, justice, human rights, rule of law, compassion, and freedom.”
“My family and I, and indeed, all Pakistanis are profoundly grateful to Madame Tussauds Dubai for honouring Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s memory and legacy.”
Bhutto’s signature style included shoulder pads, a prominent element of 80s fashion, and vibrant colors. Her green silk kameez and matching shalwar, designed by Maheen Khan, were a testament to her unique sense of fashion and patriotism. The outfit, paired with a malmal white dupatta, subtly paid homage to the colors of Pakistan’s flag.