Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 176,206	$ (180,183)	$ 28,216	$ 209,280
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $2,937, $(5,486), $1,639 and $(3,850)	5,064	(9,884)	2,826	(6,936)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(1), $198, $5 and $5,230	1	(355)	(8)	(9,419)
Net change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $2,938, $(5,684), $1,634 and $(9,080)	5,065	(10,239)	2,818	(16,355)
Net unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $262, $96, $1,588 and $(3,900)	(55,573)	(228)	(77,309)	(18,644)
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	0	0	0	0
Net change in unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $262, $96, $1,588 and $(3,900)	(55,573)	(228)	(77,309)	(18,644)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on instrument specific credit risk arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(1,627), $0, $(3,077) and $0	(2,466)	0	(4,771)	0
Less: reclassification adjustment for instrument specific credit risk (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and $0	0	0	0	0
Net change in unrealized instrument specific credit risk gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(1,627), $0, $(3,077) and $0	(2,466)	0	(4,771)	0
Net pension gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and $0	0	0	0	0
Less: reclassification adjustment for pension (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(175), $(653), $(526) and $(1,959)	383	1,258	1,150	3,772
Net change in pension liability, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $175, $653, $526 and $1,959	383	1,258	1,150	3,772
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(52,591)	(9,209)	(78,112)	(31,227)
Comprehensive income (loss)	123,615	(189,392)	(49,896)	178,053
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	1,870	1,238	3,682	1,828
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	(22,702)	6,788	(40,084)	15,931
Preferred stock dividends	(1,016)	(1,016)	(3,047)	(3,047)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ 101,767	$ (182,382)	$ (89,345)	$ 192,765