Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 15,034	$ 66,450	$ 389,463	$ 158,387
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $2,255, $(759), $1,636 and $1,634	4,063	(1,367)	2,948	2,943
Less: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $2,088, $(950), $5,032 and $(1,438)	(3,761)	1,712	(9,064)	2,590
Net change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $167, $191, $(3,396) and $3,072	302	345	(6,116)	5,533
Net unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $1,772, $(119), $(3,996) and $(57)	(3,695)	2,643	(18,416)	16,540
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 $1,772, $(119), $(3,996) and $(57)	(3,695)	2,643	(18,416)	16,540
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $(279), $0 and $(187)	0	(503)	0	(338)
Less: reclassification adjustment for derivative (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 derivative gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $(279), $0 and $(187)	0	(503)	0	(338)
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 $(653), $(422), $(1,306) and $(844)	1,339	760	2,514	1,520
Net change in pension liability, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $653, $422, $1,306 and $844	1,339	760	2,514	1,520
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(2,054)	3,245	(22,018)	23,255
Comprehensive income	12,980	69,695	367,445	181,642
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	356	912	590	(1,625)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	2,031	(1,273)	9,143	4,659
Preferred stock dividends	(1,015)	(1,015)	(2,031)	(2,031)
Comprehensive income attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ 14,352	$ 68,319	$ 375,147	$ 182,645