Freeman passed away in hospital following a cancer diagnosis, her family confirmed in a statement.
Her partner, Susan Stewart, said: “Jeane was given an unexpected diagnosis of incurable cancer on the 13th of January and we only had 25 days thereafter.
“Days which she faced enormous courage, care for others and love for me.”
Jeane Freeman (Image: PA)
Stewart added: “I wish to thank all the staff in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital whose professional skill, care and sensitivity were exceptional.
“We were both very grateful and also for the outpouring of love and concern from so many, across politics and beyond. Be kind to each other, that is what changes the world.
“Jeane and I were partners for over 25 years and I admired and supported her professional and public life. I am immensely proud of her, not least her latter volunteering at the Beatson Centre taking round the tea trolley, a job she loved.
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“But it is the private Jeane – my soul mate and companion – who I will be forever grateful to have had in my life.
“She was my biggest supporter – constantly encouraging – and also fun, feisty and argumentative! My life has been the better for her love. And I will miss her terribly.”
With the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Executive in 1999, Freeman was appointed as a senior civil servant and in 2001 she became a special adviser to Labour first minister Jack McConnell.
After taking a leading role in the campaign group Women for Independence during the 2014 referendum, she joined the SNP and was elected as MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley from 2016 to 2021.
Freeman served as cabinet secretary for health and sport from 2018 to 2021 under Nicola Sturgeon, and was a regular presence at the daily media briefings held by the Scottish Government during the Covid pandemic.
She stood down as an MSP at the 2021 election .
Tributes have poured in from colleagues across the political spectrum, including First Minister John Swinney, former first minister Sturgeon, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone.