    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0001047469-19-004907-index.html : 20190830
    <SEC-HEADER>0001047469-19-004907.hdr.sgml : 20190830
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20190830112741
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001047469-19-004907
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-3ASR
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		10
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20190830
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20190830
    EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20190830

    FILER:

    	COMPANY DATA:
    		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING CO
    		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001039828
    		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
    		IRS NUMBER:				421447959
    		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IA
    		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		S-3ASR
    		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-233544
    		FILM NUMBER:		191068473

    	BUSINESS ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		6000 WESTOWN PARKWAY
    		CITY:			WEST DEMOINES
    		STATE:			IA
    		ZIP:			50266
    		BUSINESS PHONE:		5152210002

    	MAIL ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		6000 WESTOWN PARKWAY
    		CITY:			WEST DES MOINES
    		STATE:			IA
    		ZIP:			50266
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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>S-3ASR
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>a2239541zs-3asr.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>S-3ASR
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: a2239541zs-3asr.htm

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-5.1
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>a2239541zex-5_1.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-5.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: a2239541zex-5_1.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-5.2
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>a2239541zex-5_2.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-5.2
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: a2239541zex-5_2.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-23.1
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>a2239541zex-23_1.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-23.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: a2239541zex-23_1.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-25.1
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>a2239541zex-25_1.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-25.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: a2239541zex-25_1.htm

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-25.2
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>a2239541zex-25_2.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-25.2
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: a2239541zex-25_2.htm

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>g178322mg03i001.gif
    <DESCRIPTION>G178322MG03I001.GIF
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: g178322mg03i001.gif

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>8
    <FILENAME>g178322mg03i002.gif
    <DESCRIPTION>G178322MG03I002.GIF
    <TEXT>
    Document 8 - file: g178322mg03i002.gif

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    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>9
    <FILENAME>g178322mm03i001.gif
    <DESCRIPTION>G178322MM03I001.GIF
    <TEXT>
    Document 9 - file: g178322mm03i001.gif

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>10
    <FILENAME>g178322mm03i002.gif
    <DESCRIPTION>G178322MM03I002.GIF
    <TEXT>
    Document 10 - file: g178322mm03i002.gif

    </DOCUMENT>
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