    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-21-056542-index.html : 20210428
    <SEC-HEADER>0001104659-21-056542.hdr.sgml : 20210428
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210428160534
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-21-056542
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEF 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		8
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210610
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20210428
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210428

    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:		DEF 14A
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31911
    		FILM NUMBER:		21864208

    	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
    </SEC-HEADER>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>DEF 14A
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>tm212400-1_def14a.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>DEF 14A
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: tm212400-1_def14a.htm

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>lg_americanequity-pn.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: lg_americanequity-pn.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>sg_phyllisjzanghi-bw.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: sg_phyllisjzanghi-bw.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>tm212400d1-icon_internetpn.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: tm212400d1-icon_internetpn.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>tm212400d1-icon_mailpn.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: tm212400d1-icon_mailpn.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>tm212400d1-icon_phonepn.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: tm212400d1-icon_phonepn.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>tm212400d1-proxy_1annualbw.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: tm212400d1-proxy_1annualbw.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>8
    <FILENAME>tm212400d1-proxy_2annualbw.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 8 - file: tm212400d1-proxy_2annualbw.jpg

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