2014-12-31_Exhibit 23.1

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No. 333-201008, No. 333-184162, No 333-183504, No. 333-171161, No. 333-149854, No. 333-148681, and No. 333-123862) on Form S-3 and the registration statements (No. 333-175355, No. 333-167755, and No. 333-127001) on Form S-8 of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company and subsidiaries (the Company) of our report dated February 26, 2015, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and all related financial statement schedules, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, which report appears in the December 31, 2014 annual report on Form 10-K of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company.