Segment Reporting - Financial Data for Apollo's Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Advisory and transaction fees from affiliates	$ 65,085	$ 69,777	$ 112,504	$ 97,013
Management fees from affiliates	155,070	143,326	305,517	270,504
Carried interest income (loss) from affiliates	277,106	(1,475)	1,388,313	620,854
Total Revenues	497,261	211,628	1,806,334	988,371
Expenses	322,787	316,962	945,389	840,192
Other Income	2,778	1,945,549	4,076	1,951,365
Non-Controlling Interests	(89,433)	(1,875,863)	(640,520)	(2,208,961)
Economic Net Income (Loss)
Total Assets	20,620,024	19,232,157	20,620,024	19,232,157	20,636,858
Total Reportable Segments [Member]
Revenues:
Advisory and transaction fees from affiliates	65,084	70,026	112,503	97,262
Management fees from affiliates	169,277	156,397	333,504	286,430
Carried interest income (loss) from affiliates	275,623	12,416	1,401,343	645,997
Total Revenues	509,984	238,839	1,847,350	1,029,689
Expenses	284,334	178,196	866,372	564,712
Other Income	19,001	(16,170)	59,615	42,892
Non-Controlling Interests	(3,254)	(2,438)	(6,718)	(3,847)
Economic Net Income (Loss)	241,397	42,035	1,033,875	504,022
Total Assets	4,954,489	3,622,426	4,954,489	3,622,426
Total Reportable Segments [Member] | Private Equity Segment [Member]
Revenues:
Advisory and transaction fees from affiliates	41,663	61,491	66,280	84,672
Management fees from affiliates	65,684	69,158	131,956	136,155
Carried interest income (loss) from affiliates	228,590	5,685	1,219,583	453,727
Total Revenues	335,937	136,334	1,417,819	674,554
Expenses	172,196	82,931	619,204	346,565
Other Income	13,042	(1,357)	37,225	32,520
Non-Controlling Interests
Economic Net Income (Loss)	176,783	52,046	835,840	360,509
Total Assets	2,796,517	1,945,399	2,796,517	1,945,399
Total Reportable Segments [Member] | Credit Segment [Member]
Revenues:
Advisory and transaction fees from affiliates	22,148	7,943	43,825	11,998
Management fees from affiliates	90,387	74,351	174,751	127,022
Carried interest income (loss) from affiliates	53,314	2,482	187,089	186,344
Total Revenues	165,849	84,776	405,665	325,364
Expenses	101,023	78,560	218,747	183,548
Other Income	4,885	(14,537)	20,302	9,592
Non-Controlling Interests	(3,254)	(2,438)	(6,718)	(3,847)
Economic Net Income (Loss)	66,457	(10,759)	200,502	147,561
Total Assets	2,007,122	1,583,101	2,007,122	1,583,101
Total Reportable Segments [Member] | Real Estate Segment [Member]
Revenues:
Advisory and transaction fees from affiliates	1,273	592	2,398	592
Management fees from affiliates	13,206	12,888	26,797	23,253
Carried interest income (loss) from affiliates	(6,281)	4,249	(5,329)	5,926
Total Revenues	8,198	17,729	23,866	29,771
Expenses	11,115	16,705	28,421	34,599
Other Income	1,074	(276)	2,088	780
Non-Controlling Interests
Economic Net Income (Loss)	(1,843)	748	(2,467)	(4,048)
Total Assets	$ 150,850	$ 93,926	$ 150,850	$ 93,926