SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests									$ (6,000)	$ (11,800)	$ (23,400)
Successor Company
Entity Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 62,588	$ 71,017	$ 69,162	$ 89,305	$ 82,670	$ 89,109	$ 105,691	$ 97,786	350,345	292,072	375,256
Total investment costs and expenses	48,846	130,593	58,053	52,998	53,202	50,352	62,450	57,653	181,136	290,490	223,657
Total other income (loss)	58,176	213,366	24,946	(209,882)	(186,065)	(185,449)	8,035	(69,164)	(344,382)	86,606	(432,643)
Total other expenses	15,021	17,141	9,192	24,064	11,457	11,547	12,269	17,168	43,572	65,418	52,441
Income (loss) before income taxes	56,897	136,649	26,863	(197,639)	(168,054)	(158,239)	39,007	(46,199)	(218,745)	22,770	(333,485)
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,176	340	(187)	60	20	94	729	347	484	1,389	1,190
Net income (loss)	55,721	136,309	27,050	(197,699)	(168,074)	(158,333)	38,278	(46,546)	(219,229)	21,381	(334,675)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,545	1,492	(1,281)	(15,535)	(7,977)	(6,676)	(2,705)	(6,071)	(5,956)	(11,779)	(23,429)
Net income (loss) attributable to KKR Financial Holdings LLC and Subsidiaries	52,176	134,817	28,331	(182,164)	(160,097)	(151,657)	40,983	(40,475)	(213,273)	33,160	(311,246)
Preferred share distributions	6,891	6,891	6,891	6,891	6,891	6,891	6,891	6,891	20,673	27,564	27,564
Net income (loss) available to common shares	$ 45,285	$ 127,926	$ 21,440	$ (189,055)	$ (166,988)	$ (158,548)	$ 34,092	$ (47,366)	$ (233,946)	$ 5,596	$ (338,810)