Shania Twain is opening up to fans for the first time about her "broken heart" after splitting from her husband, Robert "Mutt" Lange, last year after 14 years of marriage.

"As I am sure you have seen or heard; I am going through a rough time personally in my life," the country star writes in a message to fans posted on her Web site Thursday. "I wanted you all to know that I could not be getting through this without you. Your letters, emails and words of encouragement give me strength."                                                                                               

Twain, 42, and Lange, 59, who have a 6-year-old son, announced their separation last month. Sources tell PEOPLE that Lange's relationship with another women, Twain's close friend Marie-Anne Thiébaud, was the reason behind the split. Both Lange and Thiébaud have denied an affair.

“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." // People magazine