“A belief in God is essential.”

But behind closed doors, the country music icon has experienced her fair share of pain.

Most recently, the legendary songstresshad to say goodbye to Carl Dean,her husband of 59 years.

Dolly Parton guitar

Credit:Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty Images

But she has always had herfaith.

It was a really bad time, Parton recalled.

Sometimes God just has to smack you down.

He was almost saying, Sit your pretty little ass down because we have to deal with some stuff!

“I looked at it a long time.

“The tap-tap of his paws jolted me back to reality.

I suddenly froze, and I put the gun down.”

Thankful for the interruption, Parton said she began to pray.

“I kinda believe Popeye was a spiritual messenger from God,” she said.

“I dont think Id have done it, killed myself, but I can’t say for sure.

Parton insisted that it was her faith in God that truly saved her marriage.

“She spends time there most every day she’s home,” a friend of Parton toldCloser.

“She not only prays there, but she often goes there to write spiritual songs.

“A belief in God is essential,” she concluded.