Exhibit 99.1

                      STATEMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350


     In connection with the Form 10-Q of Universal Corporation for the period
ended March 31, 2003, I, Allen B. King, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Universal Corporation, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. (S) 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my
knowledge:

     (a)  such Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003, fully complies
with the requirements of section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended; and

     (b)  the information contained in such Form 10-Q for the period ended March
31, 2003, fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
condition and results of operations of Universal Corporation and its
subsidiaries as of and for the periods presented in such Form 10-Q.


     By: /s/ Allen B. King                            Date: May 8, 2003
        ------------------------------------
         Allen B. King
         President and Chief Executive Officer




  A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
 provided to Universal Corporation and will be retained by Universal Corporation
    and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon
                                    request.