Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 194,321	$ 252,111	$ 199,025
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $2,262, $(5,029) and $(4,923)	3,900	(9,057)	(8,866)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $2, $6,068 and $1,631	(4)	(10,930)	(2,939)
Net change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $2,260, $(11,097) and $(6,554)	3,896	(19,987)	(11,805)
Net unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(3,530), $(5,174) and $(6,837)	(121,581)	(36,477)	(43,307)
Less: reclassification adjustment for foreign exchange (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0 and $149	0	0	(267)
Net change in unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(3,530), $(5,174) and $(6,986)	(121,581)	(36,477)	(43,574)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on instrument specific credit risk arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(4,251), $0 and $0	(6,494)	0	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 and $0	0	0	0
Net change in unrealized instrument specific credit risk gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(4,251), $0 and $0	(6,494)	0	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0 and $0	0	0	0
Less: reclassification adjustment for derivative (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0 and $(95)	0	0	169
Net change in unrealized derivative gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0 and $95	0	0	169
Net pension gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(2,516), $7,152 and $(17,698)	(5,451)	17,073	(38,959)
Less: reclassification adjustment for pension (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(700), $(17,159) and $(1,676)	(1,534)	(31,102)	(3,201)
Net change in pension liability benefits, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(1,816), $24,311 and $(16,022)	(3,917)	48,175	(35,758)
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(128,096)	(8,289)	(90,968)
Comprehensive income	66,225	243,822	108,057
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	1,426	4,996	727
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	(65,746)	26,543	8,616
Preferred stock dividends	(4,063)	(4,063)	(4,062)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ (2,158)	$ 271,298	$ 113,338