Toronto, June 7 (IANS) Canadian country music and pop diva Shania Twain, who ended her 14-year marriage to her music-producer husband Robert Mutt Lange, has thanked her fans for support during ``a rough time'' in her life. She says she is heartbroken and in pain after ending her marriage to a man who took her to the unparalleled heights of the music world.

Writing to her 'beloved fans' on her website, Twain says, ``As I am sure you have seen or heard; I am going through a rough time personally in my life.

``I wanted you all to know that I could not be getting through this without you. Your letters, e-mails and words of encouragement give me strength.

``Your overwhelming support reminds me to smile, no matter how deep the pain, and to always be grateful for all the beautiful blessings in my life.''

Twain says she has a lot to say about the break-up, ``but I know the best way for me to speak is through my music.''

It has been speculated in entertainment magazines that her husband's affair with her friend Marie-Anne Thiebaud led Twain to dump him.

According to People magazine, Thiebaud is a long-time secretary and manager of the couple's chateau in Switzerland.

``Mutt (Lange) and Marie-Anne left their spouses for each other and are still in a relationship,'' the magazine quoted a source as saying.

But Lange denies the affair, saying, ``It's absolutely not the reason [for the separation].I'm not, no.'

Twain says she is focused on her music to get through the difficult time in her life.

``This (music) is my therapy, my passion, and my love. I look forward to sharing it with all of you as I begin this new journey.

``I need some time to heal this broken heart but make no mistake; I will be back and hopefully stronger than ever. Thank you my friends, from the bottom of my heart.''

The 42-year-old singer had met Lange, 59, in 1993 for collaboration on her first hit album The Woman in Me, and married him the same year.

The songs of her self-titled debut album were noticed by Lange who contacted her with an offer to work with her in 1993. Their collaboration and marriage took her to stardom, as her first album The Woman in Me became an instant hit.

With her later releases - Come on Over and Up! - Shania became a global phenomenon in country music and pop, selling millions of albums and notching up five Grammys.

In fact, Come on Over - with hit songs like You're Still the One, That Don't Impress me Much and Don't be Stupid - is the world's most successful album by any female singer, selling more than 35 million copies so far.

The couple, who have been splitting their time between Switzerland and Lange's native New Zealand, have a six-year-old son Eja.