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	9 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance			$ 1,378,230us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance			32,662us-gaap_MinorityInterest
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance			1,410,892	1,287,657
Issuance of common stock			187	457
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,810	5,059
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(2,009)	(2,381)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			483	439
Net income attributable to parent	53,039us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	38,585us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	68,781us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	122,338us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	5,038	5,618	5,305	5,608
Net income	58,077us-gaap_ProfitLoss	44,203us-gaap_ProfitLoss	74,086us-gaap_ProfitLoss	127,946us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			(11,137)us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash	(11,137)us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash
Common stock dividends declared			(35,522)us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	(35,066)us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings	(18)	0	(18)	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(483)	(439)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(12,818)	34,882
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,368,544us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	1,359,101us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	1,368,544us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	1,359,101us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			(1,977)	(1,962)
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	36,008us-gaap_MinorityInterest	32,209us-gaap_MinorityInterest	36,008us-gaap_MinorityInterest	32,209us-gaap_MinorityInterest
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,404,552	1,391,310	1,404,552	1,391,310
Common stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock			(4,218)	(2,049)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			(17,334)	(12,096)
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock			(390)	0
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			(18)	0
Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance			1,378,230	1,258,571
Issuance of common stock			187	457
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,810	5,059
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(2,009)	(2,381)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			483	439
Net income attributable to parent			68,781	122,338
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			(11,137)	(11,137)
Common stock dividends declared			(35,522)	(35,066)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(483)	(439)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to parent			(12,836)	35,405
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,368,544	1,359,101	1,368,544	1,359,101
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			0	0
Universal Corporation [Member] \| Common stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock			(4,218)	(2,049)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			(17,334)	(12,096)
Universal Corporation [Member] \| Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock			(390)	0
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			(18)	0
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance			32,662	29,086
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			5,305	5,608
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			18	(523)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			(1,977)	(1,962)
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	36,008	32,209	36,008	32,209
Noncontrolling Interests [Member] \| Common stock
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Repurchase of stock			0	0
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

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