After his studies at the "Hoger Rijksinstituut voor Toerisme, Hotelwezen en Voedingsbedrijven", Stevaert started as a bar owner in 1972.

There he became famous for his policy of free public transport in 1997, which gave him his nickname "Steve Stunt".

Stevaert served as Flemish minister of Public Works, Transport and Spatial planning from 1998 to 1999 and as Flemish minister of Mobility, Transport and Public Works from 1999 to 2003, when he resigned having become chairman of his party, succeeding Patrick Janssens.

On 9 June 2009, the day of the Flemish regional elections, Stevaert announced he would step down as governor.

[2] In early April 2015, allegations of rape were made public in the Belgian media.