Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net income	$ 60,262	$ 14,383	$ 218,649	$ 373,208
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(6,014), $21,988, $(4,380) and $(1,800)	(10,832)	39,602	(7,889)	(3,242)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $860 , $1,058, $(578) and $118,228	(1,549)	(1,907)	1,041	(212,944)
Net change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(6,874), $20,930, $(3,802) and $(120,028)	(12,381)	37,695	(6,848)	(216,186)
Net unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(4,335), $381, $(4,392) and $(299)	(16,553)	7,313	(13)	(5,379)
Less: reclassification adjustment for foreign exchange (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $149, $0, $149 and $0	(267)		(267)
Net change in unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(4,484), $381, $(4,541) and $(299)	(16,820)	7,313	(280)	(5,379)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $221, $(3), $34 and $(7)	399	(6)	61	(12)
Less: reclassification adjustment for derivative (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) $0 , $0, $0 and $0
Net change in unrealized derivative gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $221, $(3), $34 and $(7)	399	(6)	61	(12)
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), $(1,266) and $(1,998)	760	1,200	2,280	3,600
Net change in pension liability and postretirement benefits, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $422, $666, $1,266 and $1,998	760	1,200	2,280	3,600
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(28,042)	46,202	(4,787)	(217,977)
Comprehensive income	32,220	60,585	213,862	155,231
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1,058	(253)	(567)	1,098
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	(5,625)	(10,132)	(966)	(11,239)
Preferred stock dividends	(1,016)	(1,027)	(3,047)	(2,381)
Comprehensive income attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ 26,637	$ 49,173	$ 209,282	$ 142,709