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 P.O. Box 25099 Richmond, VA 23260 o phone: (804) 359-9311 o 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 Names Thomas H. Johnson to Board of Directors
                    Richmond, VA o May 10, 2001 / PRNEWSWIRE

      Henry H.  Harrell,  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Universal
Corporation,  today  announced the election of Thomas H. Johnson to  Universal's
Board of Directors.  Mr.  Johnson is Chairman,  President,  and Chief  Executive
Officer of  Chesapeake  Corporation  and has over 20 years of  experience in the
paper and  packaging  industries.  He has extensive  expertise in  international
operations and markets and has actively managed joint ventures and international
subsidiaries in 52 countries.

      Mr. Johnson served as a U. S. Naval Officer and is a Vietnam  veteran.  He
holds an MBA from Harvard University and a degree in Industrial Engineering from
Georgia  Institute of  Technology  and is actively  involved in numerous  civic,
professional, and academic organizations.

      Mr.  Harrell  noted,   "Mr.   Johnson  has  extensive   knowledge  of  the
international  tobacco  industry  and has  operating  experience  in many of the
overseas locations where Universal does business.  We look forward to having the
benefit of his  experience  and  knowledge  in his role as a member of Universal
Corporation's Board of Directors."

      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 June  30,  2000,  were  approximately  $3.4  billion.  For  more
information, visit Universal's web site at www.universalcorp.com.

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