Exhibit 99.1

P.O. Box 25099 Richmond, VA 23260 • phone: (804) 359-9311 • fax (804) 254-3594

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT		RELEASE
Karen M. L. Whelan		Immediately
Phone:	(804) 359-9311
Fax:	(804) 254-3594
Email:	investor@universalleaf.com

Universal Corporation Announces Quarterly Dividend

Richmond, VA • August 2, 2005 / PRNEWSWIRE

Allen B. King, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV), announced today that the Company’s Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of forty-two cents ($0.42) per share on the common shares of the Company, payable November 14, 2005, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on October 10, 2005.

Universal Corporation is a diversified company with operations in tobacco, lumber, and agri-products. Universal Corporation’s gross revenues for the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2005, were approximately $3.3 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit its web site at www.universalcorp.com.

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