Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries (Reconciliation Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance	$ 1,362,725
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance	34,369
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance	1,397,094	$ 1,410,892
Issuance of common stock	0	187
Accrual of stock-based compensation	1,879	2,886
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)	(2,037)	(1,988)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	174	150
Net income (loss) attributable to parent	(5,947)	717
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(178)	(192)
Net income (loss)	(6,125)	525
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared	(3,687)	(3,712)
Common stock dividends declared	(11,787)	(11,821)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	(174)	(150)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,505	824
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,349,737	1,357,877
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	34,105	32,714
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,383,842	1,390,591
Common stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock	0	(1,143)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings	0	(6,059)
Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance	1,362,725	1,378,230
Issuance of common stock	0	187
Accrual of stock-based compensation	1,879	2,886
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)	(2,037)	(1,988)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	174	150
Net income (loss) attributable to parent	(5,947)	717
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared	(3,687)	(3,712)
Common stock dividends declared	(11,787)	(11,821)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	(174)	(150)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to parent	8,591	580
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,349,737	1,357,877
Universal Corporation [Member] | Common stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock	0	(1,143)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings	0	(6,059)
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance	34,369	32,662
Issuance 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	(178)	(192)
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared	0	0
Common stock dividends declared	0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(86)	244
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	34,105	32,714
Noncontrolling Interests [Member] | Common stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock	0	0
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings	$ 0	$ 0