Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries (Reconciliation Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance	$ 1,258,571
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance	29,086
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance	1,287,657	1,205,990
Issuance of common stock	457	0
Repurchase of common stock	(2,049)	0
Accrual of stock-based compensation	2,803	2,136
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)	(2,372)	(2,004)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	139	143
Net income attributable to parent	58,309	23,125
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,396)	2,108
Net income	53,913	25,233
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock	(3,712)	(3,712)
Common stock	(11,600)	(11,444)
Repurchase of common stock	(12,096)	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	(139)	(143)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,504	(9,779)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,290,141	1,181,684
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	24,364	24,736
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,314,505	1,206,420
Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance	1,258,571	1,183,451
Issuance of common stock	457	0
Repurchase of common stock	(2,049)	0
Accrual of stock-based compensation	2,803	2,136
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)	(2,372)	(2,004)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	139	143
Net income attributable to parent	58,309	23,125
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock	(3,712)	(3,712)
Common stock	(11,600)	(11,444)
Repurchase of common stock	(12,096)	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	(139)	(143)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to parent	1,830	(9,868)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,290,141	1,181,684
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance	29,086	22,539
Issuance of common stock	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0
Accrual of stock-based compensation	0	0
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)	0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,396)	2,108
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock	0
Common stock	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(326)	89
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	$ 24,364	$ 24,736