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 35^th Annual Dividend Increase

Richmond, VA, November 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 increased the regular quarterly dividend on the common shares of the Company by one cent to forty-three cents ($.43) per share. The dividend is payable February 13, 2006, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on January 9, 2006. This increase of $.01 per share per quarter indicates an annualized rate of $1.72 per share and a yield of approximately 4.7% based on the $36.75 closing price on November 1, 2005.

Mr. King noted, “We are pleased that our Board has demonstrated its confidence by increasing our dividend at a time when we are working to strengthen our balance sheet. This is our 35^th consecutive annual dividend increase, and we are proud of our record of delivering value to shareholders.” Universal has raised its common dividend every year since 1971.

Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV) is a diversified company with operations in tobacco, lumber, and agri-products. Its 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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