Acquisitions (Pro Forma Operating Results) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Revenues and other income, pro forma results	$ 8,473,158	$ 7,249,343
Net income attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ 112,734	$ 2,050,684

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6909870&loc=d3e1392-128463

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration