Supplemental Financial Information - Supplemental Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ (236.2)	$ 341.2	$ 694.9
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment	322.8	192.1	163.6
Equity-based compensation	378.0	344.0	322.4
Excess tax benefits related to equity-based compensation	(4.0)	(2.7)	(1.9)
Non-cash performance fees, net	437.4	(582.2)	(1,595.9)
Other non-cash amounts	12.7	(1.4)	(9.1)
Purchases of investments and trading securities	26.7	55.7	77.5
Purchases of investments and trading securities	(174.5)	(330.1)	(181.1)
Proceeds from the sale of investments and trading securities	349.6	567.5	303.4
Payments of contingent consideration	(17.8)	(59.6)	0.0
Change in deferred taxes, net	(31.4)	10.5	44.5
Change in due from affiliates and other receivables	(1.4)	(4.2)	(7.8)
Change in receivables and inventory of a consolidated real estate VIE	(57.5)	0.0	10.1
Change in deposits and other	(9.0)	(10.9)	9.7
Change in other assets of a consolidated real estate VIE	(17.4)	(25.0)	4.3
Change in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(20.3)	(23.4)	46.6
Change in accrued compensation and benefits	(35.3)	155.4	935.5
Change in due to affiliates	21.0	(81.6)	96.7
Change in other liabilities of a consolidated real estate VIE	101.6	(24.9)	(32.1)
Change in deferred revenue	(50.0)	36.8	0.7
Net cash provided by operating activities	995.0	557.2	882.0
Cash flows from investing activities
Change in restricted cash	40.8	69.8	(95.4)
Purchases of fixed assets, net	(62.3)	(29.7)	(29.5)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0.0	(3.1)	(10.2)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(21.5)	37.0	(135.1)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayments under credit facility	0.0	0.0	(386.3)
Issuance of 3.875% senior notes due 2023, net of financing costs	0.0	0.0	495.3
Issuance of 5.625% senior notes due 2043, net of financing costs	0.0	210.8	394.1
Proceeds from loans payable	0.0	0.0	17.1
Payments on loans payable	0.0	0.0	(475.0)
Net payments on loans payable of a consolidated real estate VIE	(65.3)	(34.4)	(1.5)
Payments of contingent consideration	(8.1)	(39.5)	(23.9)
Net proceeds from issuance of common units, net of offering costs	209.9	449.5	0.0
Excess tax benefits related to equity-based compensation	4.0	2.7	1.9
Distributions to common unitholders	(251.0)	(102.7)	(59.9)
Distributions to non-controlling interest holders in Carlyle Holdings	(848.5)	(486.9)	(372.9)
Contributions from non-controlling interest holders	168.5	162.2	137.7
Distributions to non-controlling interest holders	(110.8)	(118.3)	(87.0)
Acquisition of non-controlling interests in Carlyle Holdings	(209.9)	(303.4)	(7.1)
Change in due to/from affiliates financing activities	(62.7)	(38.4)	17.3
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,173.9)	(298.4)	(350.2)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes	(50.1)	(20.4)	2.8
(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents	(250.5)	275.4	399.5
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,242.0	966.6	567.1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 991.5	$ 1,242.0	$ 966.6