Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net income	$ 66,450	$ 58,536	$ 158,387	$ 358,825
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(759), $(28,124), $1,634 and $(23,788)	(1,367)	(50,653)	2,943	(42,844)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(950), $3,027, $(1,438) and $117,170	1,712	(5,453)	2,590	(211,037)
Net change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $191, $(31,151), $3,072 and $(140,958)	345	(56,106)	5,533	(253,881)
Net unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(119), $258, $(57) and $(680)	2,643	(11,003)	16,540	(12,692)
Less: reclassification adjustment for foreign exchange (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and $0
Net change in unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(119), $258, $(57) and $(680)	2,643	(11,003)	16,540	(12,692)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(279), $(6), $(187) and $(4)	(503)	(11)	(338)	(6)
Less: reclassification adjustment for derivative (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and $0
Net change in unrealized derivative gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(279), $(6), $(187) and $(4)	(503)	(11)	(338)	(6)
Net pension and postretirement gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and $0
Less: reclassification adjustment for pension and postretirement (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(422), $(666), $(844) and $(1,332)	760	1,200	1,520	2,400
Net change in pension liability and postretirement benefits, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $422, $666, $844 and $1,332	760	1,200	1,520	2,400
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	3,245	(65,920)	23,255	(264,179)
Comprehensive income (loss)	69,695	(7,384)	181,642	94,646
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	912	729	(1,625)	1,351
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	(1,273)	(5,638)	4,659	(1,107)
Preferred stock dividends	(1,015)	(1,015)	(2,031)	(1,354)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ 68,319	$ (13,308)	$ 182,645	$ 93,536