[LOGO GOES HERE]

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  PRESS RELEASE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                               CONTACT:

VALHI, INC.                                          Steven L. Watson
Three Lincoln Centre                                 President
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700                         (972) 233-1700
Dallas, Texas 75240-2697

                      VALHI DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND AND

                        HOLDS ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING

     DALLAS,  TEXAS . . . May 11, 2000 . . . Valhi,  Inc. (NYSE:  VHI) announced
today that its board of directors has declared a regular  quarterly  dividend of
five cents  ($0.05) per share on its common  stock,  payable on June 30, 2000 to
stockholders of record at the close of business on June 15, 2000.

     Valhi also  announced  that its  stockholders  elected seven  directors for
terms  of one  year at the  annual  stockholders  meeting  held  today.  Valhi's
directors are: Norman S. Edelcup,  Kenneth R. Ferris, Edward J. Hardin, Glenn R.
Simmons, Harold C. Simmons, J. Walter Tucker, Jr. and Steven L. Watson.

     Valhi, Inc. is engaged in the titanium dioxide pigments, component products
(ergonomic computer support systems,  precision ball bearing slides and security
products), titanium metals products and waste management industries.

                                    * * * * *