Item 32 Section 1350 Certifications Exhibit 32.1 CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT -------------------------------- I, Aldo C. Zucaro, the Chief Executive Officer of Old Republic International Corporation (the "Company"), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that: (1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 (the "Report")fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Dated: November 11, 2003 /s/ A.C. Zucaro ------------------------------------ Aldo C. Zucaro Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Old Republic International Corporation and will be retained by Old Republic International Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.)