File photo shows   Xu Chaoqing and her husband Liu Guojiang standing at their "Love Ladder" in Chongqing.

Xu Chaoqing, the heroine of the "Love Ladder" story in Southwest China's Chongqing city, died at the age of 87 on Oct 30, the China News Service reported.

Xu and her husband Liu Guojiang were well known throughout the country because of their legendary love story.

Fifty-six years ago, the 20-year-old Liu fell in love with Xu, who was at the time a widow and 10 years older than Liu.

They ran away together and settled down on a mountain with 1,500 meters. In order to make it easier for Xu to go out, Liu spent 50 years digging more than 6,000 steps along the mountain, the so-called "Love Ladder".

Xu's husband died five years ago.

A movie based on their story was made last year.