Madonna cuts Luther Vandross from AIDS tribute after being called out by estate

Madonna made a mea culpa following her ill-fated attempt at having a sentimental moment on her “Celebration” world tour.

The 65-year-old “Material Girl” sparked immediate backlash for including Luther Vandross in an HIV/AIDS tribute during her recent stop in Sacramento, California.

An image of the late Grammy Award-winning R&B singer was placed in a special section of Saturday’s concert, meant to honor people who died from AIDS-related illnesses. Fashion photographer Herb Ritts, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury and pop art painter Keith Haring were among those featured in the montage as Madonna performed her 1986 song “Live to Tell.”

But Vandross’ cause of death was not related to AIDS — which his estate immediately pointed out when calling out Madonna and demanding he be removed from the tribute.

“Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier,” an estate spokesperson said in a statement obtained by the Daily News. “While we appreciate Madonna’s recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV virus.”

“We’re not sure where she or her production team received false medical information claiming otherwise,” the statement continued. “We’re currently in contact with her management to remove Luther Vandross from the tribute.”

Madonna has since removed the photo from the tribute, according to TMZ.

During the height of his solo breakthrough in the 1980s, Vandross endured rumors about his sexuality and fluctuating weight. In 1985, he sued a British music magazine for publishing a report attributing his 85-pound weight loss to AIDS.

After suffering a severe stroke in 2003, the “Dance With My Father” balladeer died of a heart attack on July 1, 2005, at the age of 54.

Vandross is currently the subject of a wide-ranging Jamie Foxx-produced documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

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