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		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 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
Repurchase of stock			0	(4,218)
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,157	4,810
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(3,737)	(2,009)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			519	483
Net income (loss) attributable to parent	$ 44,534	$ 53,039	61,052	68,781
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,081	5,038	4,502	5,305
Net income	46,615	58,077	65,554	74,086
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			(11,061)	(11,137)
Common stock dividends declared			(35,641)	(35,522)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings	0	(18)	0	(18)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(519)	(483)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			4,090	(12,818)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			(1,260)	(1,977)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,382,050	1,368,544	1,382,050	1,368,544
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	37,146	36,008	37,146	36,008
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,419,196	1,404,552	1,419,196	1,404,552
Common stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			0	(17,334)
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock			0	(390)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			0	(18)
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
Repurchase of stock			0	(4,218)
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,157	4,810
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(3,737)	(2,009)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			519	483
Net income (loss) attributable to parent			61,052	68,781
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			(11,061)	(11,137)
Common stock dividends declared			(35,641)	(35,522)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(519)	(483)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to parent			4,555	(12,836)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			0	0
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,382,050	1,368,544	1,382,050	1,368,544
Universal Corporation [Member] | Common stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			0	(17,334)
Universal Corporation [Member] | Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock			0	(390)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			0	(18)
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
Repurchase of 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			4,502	5,305
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			(465)	18
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			(1,260)	(1,977)
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	$ 37,146	$ 36,008	37,146	36,008
Noncontrolling Interests [Member] | Common stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			0	0
Noncontrolling Interests [Member] | Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock			0	0
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			$ 0	$ 0