She studied prehistory, history and philosophy at the University of Innsbruck, completing a doctorate in 1994.
[1] She became part of Chancellor Franz Vranitzky's fourth government in November 1994 as Federal Minister for Youth and Family Affairs.
[2] An administrative mistake made when Stiegelbauer voted in the 1995 election caused a dispute; citizens in two villages had to go to the polls again, which led to the ÖVP losing one seat to the FPÖ.
[3] In 1999 she received the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria.
[4] In 2000 she led a Council of Europe mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.